**Summary:**
The Ministry of Earth Sciences reported on July 31, 2025, that multiple Indian institutes and organizations funded by various government ministries (MoES, DST, MoEFCC, MoM, and MoJS) have observed accelerated and heterogeneous mass loss in Himalayan glaciers. The average retreat rate for Hindu Kush Himalayan glaciers is 14.9-15.1 meters/annum, with variations across river basins: 12.7-13.2 meters/annum in Indus, 15.5-14.4 meters/annum in Ganga, and 20.2-19.7 meters/annum in Brahmaputra. Glaciers in the Karakoram region show a comparatively minor length change of 1.37-2.28 meters/annum. From 1975 to 2023, the cumulative mass loss of Indian Himalayan glaciers is estimated at 26 meters water equivalent (w.e.).
The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), an autonomous institute under MoES, has monitored six glaciers in the Chandra basin (2437 km area) in the western Himalaya since 2013. NCPOR's glacier inventory indicates a 6% loss of glacial area in the Chandra basin over the last 20 years, with an annual retreat rate varying from 13 to 33 meters/year over the last decade. Based on the energy balance model, the estimated mean annual mass balance of the upper Chandra Basin glaciers is -0.51 ± 0.28 m w.e. a-1, with a cumulative mass balance of -3.54 m w.e from 2015 to 2022.
The enhanced melting of glaciers can result in: shifts in runoff seasonality and increased interannual variability, potentially affecting water supply; formation and enlargement of glacial lakes, increasing the frequency of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and flash floods; and rising sea levels. These changes can disrupt ecosystems, biodiversity, and livelihoods.
While no comprehensive national strategy or action plan for glacier conservation has been adopted, the Government of India has undertaken several measures to mitigate the impact of climate change. A Steering Committee on Monitoring of Glaciers was formed on March 9, 2023, by the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), MoJS, to monitor and coordinate efforts on Himalayan glaciers. A Centre for Cryosphere and Climate Change Studies (C4S) was established at the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee, in May 2023 by DoWR, RD & GR, MoJS, to study the impact of climate change on water resources in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR).
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been prepared as part of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Guidelines for the Management of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). This SOP, developed with key central ministries, outlines a comprehensive response mechanism to GLOF events, covering preparedness, emergency response, and post-disaster recovery.
This information was provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Earth Sciences: Indian government ministry responsible for Earth science research and related initiatives, including monitoring Himalayan glaciers.
Himalayan glaciers: Glaciers located in the Himalayan region, which are the subject of scientific studies and monitoring due to accelerated melting.
Hindu Kush Himalayan: Refers to the mountain range encompassing the Hindu Kush and Himalayan ranges, important for glacial studies.
National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR): Autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences responsible for monitoring glaciers in the Chandra basin.
Chandra basin: A specific geographical area in the western Himalaya where NCPOR monitors six glaciers.
Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs): Floods caused by the sudden release of water from glacial lakes, a concern due to glacier melting, and addressed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): The agency that has prepared Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Guidelines for the Management of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
National Institute of Hydrology NIH, Roorkee: Location of the Centre for Cryosphere and Climate Change Studies (C4S) established to study the impact of climate change on water resources of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR).
Ministry of Earth Sciences
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: STRATEGY ON
GLACIER AND CLIMATE PROTECTION
Posted On: 31 JUL 2025 5:16PM by PIB Delhi
Several Indian institutes/universities/organizations funded by the Government of India through Ministry of
Earth Sciences (MoES), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Environment Forest and
Climate Change (MoEFCC), Ministry of Mines (MoM) and Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) monitor Himalayan
glaciers for various scientific studies including glacier melting and have reported accelerated heterogeneous
mass loss in Himalayan glaciers. The mean retreat rate of Hindu Kush Himalayan glaciers is 14.9 ± 15.1
meter/annum (m/a); which varies from 12.7 ± 13.2 m/a in Indus, 15.5 ± 14.4 m/a in Ganga and 20.2 ± 19.7 m/a
in Brahmaputra River basins. However, glaciers in the Karakoram region have shown comparatively minor
length change (-1.37 ± 22.8 m/a). Based on field measurement of glaciers from 1975 to 2023, the cumulative
mass loss of Indian Himalayan glaciers is estimated at -26 m w.e.
MoES through its autonomous institute, the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)
2
has been monitoring six glaciers in the Chandra basin (2437 km area) in western Himalaya since
2013. A state-of-the-art field research station ‘Himansh’ established in Chandra basin and operational
since 2016 for conducting field experiment and expeditions to glaciers. The glacier inventory prepared
by NCPOR for the Chandra basin shows that it has lost about 6% of its glacial area during last 20
years. Annual rate of retreat of Chandra basin glaciers varies from 13 to 33 meter/year during last
decade. Based on the energy balance model, the estimated mean annual mass balance of the upper
1
Chandra Basin glaciers is 0.51 ± 0.28 m w.e. a , with a cumulative mass balance of 3.54 m w.e f.
2015 to 2022.
The enhanced melting of glaciers will lead to noticeable impacts which include (1) shifts in seasonality
and higher inter-annual variability of runoff which may affect water supply at local to
regional/continental scalesincluding the surrounding lowlands, (2) the formation and enlargement of
new/existing lakes, enhances frequency of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)/Flash floods, and
(3) rising sea level at global scale. Changes in water availability can also disrupt ecosystems and
biodiversity, impacting the livelihoods of communities that depend on these resources.
As comprehensive national strategy or action plan has been adopted by the Government for
conservation of glaciers and maintaining climate equilibrium. Government of India is committed to
protect the glaciers and has made efforts to reduce the impact of climate change through several
measures undertaken through its various Ministries, Departments and Institutes.
A Steering Committee on ‘Monitoring of Glacier’ has been formed on 09.03.2023, by the Ministry of
Jal Shakti (MoJS) under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, River
Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), MoJS includes members from different
ministries and organizations to monitor and coordinate the work being carried out by various
ministries and organizations on the Himalayan glaciers.
A Centre for Cryosphere and Climate Change Studies (C4S) has been established at National
Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee in May 2023 by DoWR, RD & GR, MoJS to study the impact of
climate change on water resources of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR).
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been prepared as part of the National Disaster
Management Authority (NDMA) Guidelines for the Management of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods
(GLOFs). This SOP, which was developed in coordination with key central ministries, including
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Ministry of JalShakti (MoJS), outlines a comprehensive and phased response mechanism to GLOF events,
covering pre-disaster preparedness, real-time emergency response, and post-disaster recovery. This
coordinated approach ensures an integrated multi-sectoral response, leveraging scientific knowledge
and operational capabilities for effective GLOF risk management.
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science
and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of
Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
*****
NKR/PSM/AV
(Release ID: 2150828)