Kargil, Feb 3: The residents of Kargil, a mountainous district in the Ladakh Union Territory, are raising alarms over the severe impact of climate change on their fragile cold desert ecosystem. As shifting climatic patterns become more evident, both local experts and residents are deeply concerned about the environmental changes occurring in this unique region.
Kargil, historically known for its heavy snowfall during winter months, has witnessed drastic shifts in weather patterns over the past decade. Elderly residents fondly recalled how heavy snowfall used to isolate the district for months, closing the Zojila Pass and necessitating the stockpiling of essentials like food and firewood. However, this winter saw an unprecedented change: for the first time in years, the Zojila Pass remained open during the peak of winter due to significantly reduced snowfall.
Dr. Mohammad Issa, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at Ladakh University, emphasised the severity of global warming and its destructive consequences for Kargil’s delicate cold desert ecosystem. Local experts warn that rising temperatures and declining snowfall are threatening to disrupt the region’s already limited water resources. The reduced snowfall is accelerating glacier melt, which, in turn, poses risks of flash floods and alters the glacial water streams that feed the area’s rivers.
The Suru and Wadak rivers, essential sources of water for drinking and irrigation, have already shown signs of reduced water levels, raising concerns about the region’s future water availability. Haji Ali, a local resident, highlighted the community’s reliance on the Himalayan glaciers for sustenance. “The gradual melting of Himalayan glaciers ensures water availability for drinking and irrigation,” he said. “But with climate change accelerating glacier melt, these vital natural water reservoirs are under serious threat.”
Nusrat Fatima, a student from the area, also voiced her concern about the changing weather patterns. “Delayed snowfall, dry winters, and rising temperatures have become increasingly common over the past several years,” she said. “Climate change is knocking at our doors, and we need to act now to protect our home.” The people of Kargil are now calling for urgent action to address these challenges and protect the region’s fragile ecosystem before it faces irreversible damage.
