Collaborative Action Urged to Preserve Earth's Receding Glaciers

In a pivotal dialogue in Geneva, global leaders and experts emphasized urgent collective action to combat glacier melt's threats to water security and agriculture. Highlighting South Asian glacier losses, the India Water Foundation and partners called for innovative solutions and multilateral cooperation to safeguard vital freshwater resources.

In Geneva, the India Water Foundation (IWF), alongside the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Mountain Partnership of the United Nations, spearheaded a high-level dialogue on glacier preservation. Marking World Water Day and its own 17th anniversary, the IWF gathered experts to confront the dire consequences of continuing glacial melt.

Dr. Arvind Kumar, IWF President, warned of glaciers' crucial role as freshwater sources, citing alarming South Asian ice loss trends. With India's glaciers disappearing faster than the global average, Dr. Raj Bhushan Chaudhary, India's Minister of State for Jal Shakti, underscored the threat to key rivers supporting millions, highlighting India's aggressive stance on glacier issues.

Speakers including Sh. Bharat Lal and Mr. Ignacio Deregibus identified glacier melt as a multifaceted crisis requiring global cooperation, policy innovation, and climate finance. Addressing the attendees, Ms. Sonja Koeppel and Dr. Stefan Uhlenbrook presented alarming data on ice loss, urging international efforts towards sustainable water management policies and practices, while advocating for regional and gender-inclusive strategies.

(With inputs from agencies.)