Where snow once reigned supreme, now stands a bare, brown expanse. The fading white peaks of the Himalayas remind us that the time to act against climate change is now.
Looking ahead: A glimpse of our future
Raj stood at his homestay’s window in Kuri Kalinchok, staring at the brown peaks that should have been gleaming white. It was mid-January 2040, and the tourist season had collapsed. No skiers dotted the slopes, no children made snowmen, and the winter festival was now just a fading memory in old photographs. His father’s stories of magical white winters seemed like folklore to his own children, who had never seen substantial snowfall in their lives.
The Present Reality
Raj’s story may be fictional, but its echoes are all too real in the Himalayan region today. In January 2025, the Himalayan region is experiencing an alarming lack of snowfall, with vast stretches of normally snow-covered peaks remaining exposed and brown. According to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), 2024 marked the second-lowest snow persistence on record, with snow levels 31.8% below normal. Moreover, approximately 75% of Himalayan glaciers are retreating at an unprecedented rate according to a study by ISRO, signaling profound environmental challenges.
A recent study published in Nature reveals that Himalayan glaciers have lost at least 40% of their area since the Little Ice Age, approximately 400–700 years ago. Another report by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) indicates that glaciers in the region are receding at an average rate of 10–15 meters per year. These figures are stark reminders of the magnitude of the crisis unfolding in the region.
A queue of hope and despair: As springs dry up, these jerry cans symbolize the growing struggle for water in mountain communities.
Water Crisis Deepens
The implications stretch far beyond lost tourism. The Hindukush – Himalayan region, often called “Asia’s water tower,” sustains the lives of more than 2 billion people through its intricate network of rivers. This vast mountain range isn’t just a scenic wonder – it’s the source of ten major Asian river systems, including the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus, which form the lifeline of South Asia’s agricultural heartlands.
Declining glaciers and reduced snowfall are disrupting both surface and groundwater systems, threatening water security for millions. In the mid-hill regions (elevations between 1,000-2,000 meters), springs—the lifeblood of thousands of communities—are drying up. Some villages report their water sources have shrunk by over 25% in just the last decade. This crisis is particularly acute in Nepal’s middle hills, where nearly 80% of rural households depend on springs for their daily water needs.
The ripple effects are profound. Agricultural patterns are shifting, with traditional farming calendars becoming increasingly unreliable. Farmers who once relied on predictable snow-melt patterns for irrigation now face uncertain water availability. In regions like Mustang and Manang, communities report having to abandon certain crops entirely due to water scarcity. The changing water regime also affects hydropower generation – a crucial energy source for Nepal’s development.
The crisis extends beyond quantity to quality. As glaciers retreat, they release decades-old pollutants trapped in the ice. Furthermore, reduced water flow concentrates existing pollutants, making the available water increasingly unsafe for consumption. In communities across the region, long queues of people with jerry cans have become a common sight—a stark reminder of how climate change is rewriting the story of everyday life in the Himalayas.
Women and marginalized communities bear a disproportionate burden of this crisis. With springs drying up, many must walk further to collect water, sometimes spending hours each day on this task alone. This not only affects their daily lives but also impacts educational and economic opportunities, deepening existing social inequalities.
In a land once abundant with glacial streams, water is now a precious commodity. A stark reminder of how climate change is rewriting the story of everyday life in the Himalayas.
A Tale of Action and Urgency
In Ladakh, a region already grappling with water scarcity, local communities are reviving springs by combining scientific knowledge with traditional methods like ice stupas—artificial glaciers that store winter water for summer use. These success stories prove that solutions exist when science, traditional wisdom, and community effort align.
This level of proactive thinking is urgently needed across the Himalayan region. Regional cooperation among countries sharing these water resources must become a priority. Sharing scientific data, synchronizing water management plans, and enforcing strong policy frameworks for protecting mountain ecosystems are critical first steps.
At the grassroots level, empowering communities is key. Programs to preserve springs, recharge groundwater, and manage local water resources sustainably are vital. Initiatives like Ladakh’s Ice Stupas can inspire similar approaches throughout the region.
A Future Worth Fighting For
Raj’s children might never need to dismiss their grandfather’s tales as folklore. The Himalayan peaks, crowned in white glory, can continue standing as symbols of resilience and vitality. Every policy decision we make today—every effort to reduce our carbon footprint, protect water systems, and support mountain communities—contributes to that future.
The Himalayas have sustained centuries of human civilization in the continent. Now, it’s our turn to protect them so they can sustain future generations. Let’s ensure that the magic of white winters doesn’t become the stories from a fairy tale for our future generations.
