The National Green Tribunal has sought responses from multiple government bodies over the growing danger posed by unstable hanging glaciers in the central Himalayan region. The tribunal took suo motu cognisance of a news report highlighting new scientific findings that warn of serious environmental and disaster risks.
Concern over unstable glaciers and avalanche threats
In an order dated April 24, a bench led by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad noted that hanging glaciers on steep mountain slopes are becoming increasingly unstable. These glaciers, which cling to high-altitude slopes, can detach and trigger large ice avalanches, potentially causing downstream disasters.
The tribunal referred to a study conducted by researchers from institutions including the Indian Institute of Science, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar and the Defence Research and Development Organisation. The study focused on the Alaknanda basin in Uttarakhand, an important headstream region of the Ganga river system.
Rising risks due to glacier retreat and development
According to the findings, glacier retreat in the region has led to the detachment of tributary glaciers from their main bodies. This process has destabilised mountain-side glaciers that were previously stable, increasing the risk of sudden collapses.
The report also pointed to a sharp rise in human exposure to these hazards. Rapid infrastructure development and growing human activity in high-altitude areas have placed more settlements and pilgrimage routes in vulnerable zones.
Using satellite imagery, elevation models and avalanche simulations, researchers estimated how far ice avalanches could travel. In worst-case scenarios, these avalanches could reach key locations such as Mana, Badrinath and Hanuman Chatti.
Call for targeted monitoring and risk reduction
The researchers emphasised the need for focused monitoring of high-risk glaciers. While implementing large-scale monitoring systems across the entire Himalayan region may be difficult, they suggested identifying the most dangerous glaciers and prioritising them for surveillance and mitigation efforts.
Such targeted approaches, they argued, could significantly reduce disaster risks in vulnerable mountain regions.
Tribunal flags environmental concerns and legal implications
The NGT observed that the issue raises serious concerns under the Environment Protection Act 1986 and involves substantial questions related to environmental compliance.
The tribunal has issued notices to several authorities, including the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Central Pollution Control Board, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board and the National Institute of Hydrology.
These bodies have been directed to submit their responses at least one week before the next hearing scheduled for August 6.
The case highlights growing concerns over climate-driven changes in the Himalayas and the need for proactive monitoring and policy action to prevent potential disasters in fragile mountain ecosystems.