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Thawing Permafrost in Kashmir: Emerging Risks and Implications

Syllabus:

GS – 3- Permafrost , cryosphere , environmental damage , Jammu and Kashmir region

Focus :

This article examines the emerging risks posed by the thawing of permafrost in the Kashmir Himalayas, highlighting its impact on infrastructure, hydrology, and environmental stability. It underscores the necessity for integrated monitoring, strategic infrastructure planning, and community preparedness to mitigate these challenges effectively.

Introduction

• Permafrost—ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years—is a critical component of high-altitude ecosystems.
• In the Kashmir Himalayas, recent studies have highlighted the presence and significance of permafrost structures, particularly rock glaciers.
• As global temperatures rise, the thawing of these ancient ice formations poses new risks to the region’s environment, infrastructure, and communities.​

Permafrost and Rock Glaciers in the Kashmir Himalayas

• Definition and Significance: Permafrost serves as a natural reservoir, storing substantial amounts of water in the form of ice.
• Rock glaciers, which are landforms composed of rock debris and interstitial ice, are indicators of permafrost presence.
• They play a crucial role in maintaining the stability of mountainous terrains and act as slow-moving conveyors of debris.​
• Recent Findings:
  • A comprehensive study identified 207 rock glaciers in the Jhelum basin of the Kashmir Himalayas, covering approximately 50 square kilometers.
  • Notably, over 100 of these are classified as active, exhibiting surface features indicative of ongoing movement and the presence of ice-rich permafrost.

Implications of Thawing Permafrost

• Infrastructure Vulnerability:
  • The degradation of permafrost can lead to ground instability, posing significant risks to infrastructure.
  • In the Jammu and Kashmir region, permafrost degradation threatens 2,415 houses, 903 lakes, 8 hydropower projects, and 193 kilometers of roads
• Hydrological Changes:
  • Active rock glaciers in the Kashmir Himalayas hold significant volumes of water.
  • As permafrost thaws, the sudden release of this water can alter river flows, impact water availability, and increase the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
• Environmental Hazards:
  • The destabilization of permafrost can trigger landslides and rockfalls, endangering both natural ecosystems and human settlements.
• The cascading effects of such events can lead to catastrophic disasters in the future. ​

Case Studies Highlighting Risks

• Glacial Retreat and Lake Expansion:
  • In the Kulgam District of Kashmir, studies have documented significant glacier retreat (~28%) and lake expansion (>100%) between 1990 and 2024.
  • These changes heighten the risk of GLOFs, exacerbated by the destabilizing effects of permafrost thaw.
• Permafrost Distribution Mapping: Research utilizing remotely sensed land surface temperature data between 2002 and 2023 has provided insights into permafrost distribution in the Jammu and Kashmir Himalaya.
• The findings underscore the growing risks associated with permafrost degradation-related hazards. ​

Broader Climate Change Context

• Global Tipping Points:
  • Assessments indicate that current levels of global warming (1.1°C) put the world within range of reaching critical climate tipping points, including abrupt permafrost thaw.
  • Such changes are likely to lead to irreversible and increasingly disastrous impacts globally. ​
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
  • Permafrost regions contain at least 33% of the global soil carbon pool.
  • Thawing permafrost releases stored carbon into the atmosphere as methane or carbon dioxide, contributing to further climate warming. ​

Recommendations for Mitigation and Adaptation

• Integrated Monitoring Systems: Establishing comprehensive monitoring of permafrost dynamics, rock glacier activity, and associated hydrological changes is essential for early warning and risk assessment.​
• Infrastructure Planning: Incorporating permafrost distribution data into infrastructure development plans can help mitigate risks associated with ground instability.​
• Community Awareness and Preparedness: Educating local communities about the risks of permafrost thaw and implementing preparedness strategies can reduce vulnerability to related disasters.​

Conclusion

• The thawing of permafrost in the Kashmir Himalayas presents multifaceted challenges, impacting infrastructure, water resources, and environmental stability.
• Addressing these emerging risks requires a collaborative approach, integrating scientific research, policy planning, and community engagement to develop effective adaptation and mitigation strategies

Associated Article

https://universalinstitutions.com/tag/jammu-and-kashmir-environment/

Mains UPSC Question GS 3

“Discuss the implications of permafrost thawing in the Kashmir Himalayas on regional infrastructure and environmental stability. Suggest measures to mitigate the associated risks.”(250 words).