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In the high-altitude desert of Ladakh, located 15,000 feet above sea level in the western Himalayas, a unique water storage solution is making a significant impact. The Ice Stupa Project, an initiative by Sonam Wangchuk and his collaborators, is addressing the water scarcity caused by glacial retreat and seasonal precipitation mismatch in the region [1][2][4].
The project works by creating artificial glaciers, or ice stupas, shaped like conical mounds. Water from mountain streams in winter is sprayed into the cold air at high altitude, forming these large ice mounds. The shape of the stupas minimizes surface area exposed to sunlight, reducing melting. The ice mound stores millions of liters of water frozen through winter [1].
As temperatures rise in spring, the ice melts slowly, providing crucial irrigation water to farms and drinking water to villages when natural water sources dwindle. This approach integrates traditional knowledge of water management with modern engineering methods for greater efficiency and sustainability [1][3][4].
The creation of multiple ice stupas across dozens of villages has stored tens of millions of liters of water, securing water supply during dry periods [2]. This artificial water source mitigates the effects of shrinking glaciers and changing precipitation patterns, protecting agriculture and livelihoods. The project has strong local acceptance due to cultural integration and active participation, helping preserve traditional water practices while enhancing resilience to climate stress [1].
One of the project's beneficiaries is Tsering Motup, a farmer in Shara. Motup, who expresses a desire to become a role model for organic farming, uses half an acre of his five-acre land for organic vegetable and barley farming. He anticipates the availability of at least two to three ice stupas in his village next year, hoping for a more substantial water supply.
The Ice Stupa Project also fosters youth motivation to engage with sustainable innovation and climate adaptation. Rigzin Mingyur, the team leader at Wangchuk's Ice Stupa Project, plans to create more ice stupas based on needs and has trained volunteer groups for this purpose.
One of HIAL's ambitious projects is to use ice stupas for water supply to green the Himalayan valleys with tree plantations. Over twelve volunteer groups were selected for training and infrastructure support to create ice stupas in their villages. The volunteers from Shara, who made the tallest ice stupa, received a prize of half a million Indian rupees ($7,312).
Ganglas villagers express the need for more than one ice stupa as their current one provides insufficient water. Motup believes that obtaining an organic farmer certificate will allow him to sell his organic products for four times the current price.
In sum, the Ice Stupa Project offers a low-cost, culturally aligned, and climate-resilient water storage method that supports Ladakh’s rural communities’ adaptation to glacial melt challenges and water insecurity [3][4]. The project is a testament to the power of local engineering initiatives in addressing global climate issues.
- The Ice Stupa Project, a unique initiative in Ladakh, is rooted in environmental-science, combining traditional water management techniques with modern engineering methods, aiming to tackle climate-change and water scarcity issues.
- The Ice Stupa Project's approach, which involves creating artificial glaciers, has been adopted across numerous villages, with each stupa storing millions of liters of water, thereby mitigating the effects of environmental changes on agriculture and livelihoods.
- Technology plays a crucial role in the success of the Ice Stupa Project, as it allows for precise control of water flow and temperature, ensuring the stupas remain stable and effective as water storage systems.
- The Ice Stupa Project, through its focus on climate, culture, and water conservation, has sparked interest in science and climate-change among the youth of Ladakh, fostering innovation and adaptation to the changing environment.
