Fluctuating Climates of Himachal Himalayas: Impacts, Adaptations and Sustainable Strategies

Abstract

The Himalayas are being called as “Third Pole”of Earth as they contain rugged and massive high altitude peaks covered by huge glaciers and comprises of numerous streams. Himachal Himalayas are the youngest of them and makes central part of Indian Himalayan system. Nine river systems drain through Himachal Himalayas and make possible of livelihood of about 6.86 million inhabitants around these river basins. Atmospheric circulation, agriculture and biodiversity of these regions rely directly or indirectly upon these water resources. Global warming has drastically impacted glacial covers and downstream water availabilities and facing threats due to warming temperatures. Due to complex and extreme topography, Himachal Himalayas are lacking thorough study and research as compared globally and need urgent attention and strategic implications.

Introduction

The cryosphere, especially glaciers and snow in the Earth’s Himalayas, is rapidly affected by human-induced climate change, causing accelerated melting and environmental instability. The Himachal Himalayas, known as the “Adobe of Snow,” cover around 2500 km and host 2554 glaciers feeding nine major river systems that support over 6.8 million people and crucial economic activities.

This region, with fragile geology and diverse climates influenced by monsoon and western disturbances, is experiencing a rising temperature trend (~0.06°C per year) and decreasing rainfall (about 3% drop in monsoon precipitation). These changes threaten water availability, agriculture, hydropower, and ecosystems.

The Himalayas are divided into nine agro-ecological zones based on elevation and rainfall, which guide resource management. Glacial meltwater forms the lifeline of the rivers supporting irrigation, drinking water, and energy production.

Climate change impacts include increased floods, soil erosion, disrupted river flows, shrinking glaciers, and threats to biodiversity and local livelihoods. Glacial retreat may trigger natural disasters like Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and adversely affect tourism and the state’s economy.

Urgent adaptation strategies are needed to mitigate these risks and sustainably manage natural resources in the fragile Himachal Himalayan environment.

Conclusion

Global warming is changing Cryosphere in terms of glacial retreat and climatic changes. Impacts to these threats are quite noticeable and alarming. Himachal Himalaya is the youngest arcuate mountain belt whose snow cover and nine river systemsprovide water for irrigation, drinking and hydro power generation and also contribute to GDP and other environmental services of the inhabitants of these river basins. A significant climatic variation is observed in recent years in terms of global warming which in turn causing glacial retreat, shrinkage of river catchment areas, varied patterns in rainfall and also agriculture in study area. Increased frequency of heavy precipitation, groundwater recharge disturbance, flash floods, GLOFs, drying of springs and small tributaries, early snow melt, water crisis and disturbance to lives are secondary and even more drastic effects of climatic changes in the region. Crops patterns are disturbing due to rising temperatures of Himachal Himalayas. Lack of awareness regarding climatic changes in the region is also a major setback. Proper and strategic implications are needed to reduce and mitigate upcoming threats due to climatic shifts. A quite damage to Himalayan environment has already been done and urgent actions and awareness are needed to prevent these assets from diminishing.

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Copyright © 2025 Mamta Guleria, Manish Dogra. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.