At the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation held in Dushanbe from May 29–31, 2025, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, reiterated India’s firm commitment to glacier conservation and climate resilience.
Glacier Retreat: No Longer a Future Threat, But a Present Reality
Addressing the Plenary Session, Mr. Singh emphasized that glacier retreat is a real-time crisis, severely impacting water security, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of billions. He particularly highlighted the vulnerability of the Himalayan region, often referred to as the “Third Pole,” calling for urgent, collective global action.
India’s Strategic Interventions in Glacier Preservation
Shri Singh outlined India’s national strategies under the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE), a key part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). He also mentioned the establishment of a dedicated Centre for Cryosphere and Climate Change Studies to strengthen glacier and glacial lake research in the Indian Himalayan region.
Advancing Glacier Monitoring Through Technology
India is leveraging Remote Sensing and GIS technologies, with ISRO at the helm, to monitor glacier mass and movement. Key research institutions such as:
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National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)
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National Institute of Hydrology (NIH)
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Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology
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G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE)
are contributing vital data to inform sustainable water management and policymaking.
Disaster Preparedness and Regional Cooperation
Highlighting efforts in disaster risk reduction, Shri Singh noted India’s progress in early warning systems and Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) risk mapping, led by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). He underscored the need for regional data-sharing and collaboration to build climate resilience in the Himalayas.
Climate Justice and India’s Global Leadership
Reaffirming India’s advocacy for Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), Mr. Singh pointed out that South Asia bears a disproportionate climate burden despite minimal historical emissions.
He cited India’s key climate milestones under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership:
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48% of electricity capacity now from non-fossil sources
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36% reduction in emission intensity of GDP (2005–2020)
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Creation of a carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes CO₂-equivalent through enhanced forest and tree cover
Global Call to Safeguard the Cryosphere
In conclusion, Mr. Singh welcomed the UN’s declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and the Decade of Action (2025–2034) for Cryospheric Sciences. He urged the international community to strengthen scientific partnerships, inclusive dialogue, and extend technical and financial support to vulnerable nations.
