ICE STUPA WATER SOLUTION .

Syed Shams Uddin The concept gained popularity and was subsequently replicated in Baltistan, where climate change and glacial retreats have disrupted traditional water sources. The initiative underscores the community-driven potential of low-cost, eco-friendly solutions to tackle the challenges posed by climate change. Tackling Water Scarcity in Gilgit-Baltistan: The Promise of Ice Stupas Water scarcity during the critical months of March and April poses a significant challenge to the arid and semi-arid regions of Gilgit-Baltistan. Innovative methods to mitigate this issue are currently underway, offering a sustainable and scientific approach to water management. Among these, the concept of Ice Stupas has emerged as a beacon of hope. If proven successful, this solution could be replicated across other water-scarce areas of the region, where traditional practices like glacier-grafting have been attempted but with limited success. In the past, communities in areas such as Jutal and Nomal in the Gilgit district made efforts to graft glaciers on the frigid zones of their respective mountains. These initiatives, however, failed to yield tangible results due to the inherent complexities of glacier formation and climatic challenges. The recent maintenance of Ice Stupas by local communities in Baltistan, as reported on social media, offers a compelling alternative. This success story enkindles hope that regions like Sakwar, Minawar, and Jutal, where previous attempts at glacier-grafting have faltered, could instead benefit from constructing Ice Stupas to meet irrigation needs during the dry season. One however, wonders whether or not the traditional glacier grafting by communities would become successful if the possibility of supportive ice-stupas is experimented with alongsiode high up in the mountains at such points. What are Ice Stupas? An Ice Stupa is an ingenious water-conservation structure designed to freeze and store water during the winter months. It forms a towering cone of ice that gradually melts with the rising temperatures of spring. The melting process supplies much-needed water for agriculture and daily needs during the pre-monsoon period, a time when traditional water sources are often depleted. This eco-friendly solution, pioneered by engineer Sonam Wangchuk in Ladakh, has gained traction in high-altitude regions like Skardu, where climate change and glacial retreat have disrupted conventional water systems. Why Ice Stupas Are Promising for Gilgit-Baltistan 1. Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness: Ice Stupas are low-cost and environmentally sustainable. They rely on natural freeze-thaw cycles and gravity-fed water systems, reducing dependency on external energy sources or extensive infrastructure. 2. Community Involvement: The successful implementation of Ice Stupas hinges on active community participation. The project in Baltistan has demonstrated the potential for local engagement in constructing and maintaining these structures. 3. Adaptability to Climatic Challenges: As climate change accelerates glacial retreat, the Ice Stupa technique provides an adaptive solution by utilizing otherwise wasted winter water runoff to meet critical water needs. 4. Replication Potential: With proper support, including the provision of essential materials such as pipes, nozzles, and training, Ice Stupas could be replicated across various water-stressed parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. Way Forward To ensure the widespread adoption and success of Ice Stupas in Gilgit-Baltistan: • Material Support: Communities should be provided with the necessary equipment and resources to construct Ice Stupas efficiently. • Training and Capacity Building: Workshops and training sessions should be organized to equip local residents with the technical know-how for constructing and maintaining Ice Stupas. • Policy and Funding: Government and non-governmental organizations must prioritize funding for these projects as part of broader climate adaptation strategies. • Monitoring and Scaling: Pilot projects should be closely monitored to assess their efficacy and scalability. Lessons learned can guide the implementation of similar initiatives in other parts of the region. Conclusion The Ice Stupa initiative represents a transformative approach to addressing water scarcity in Gilgit-Baltistan. By leveraging local ingenuity, community participation, and minimal resources, this solution offers a sustainable pathway to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The success of Ice Stupas in Baltistan serves as an inspiring example, encouraging other water-stressed areas to adopt this innovative technology. With concerted efforts and necessary support, Ice Stupas could become a cornerstone of water conservation and agricultural resilience in Gilgit-Baltistan, ensuring a stable and sustainable future for its communities. A social media report highlighted the success of ice stupas, focusing on the experience of the residents of Hussainabad in Skardu, who have adopted this innovative solution to address water scarcity during the critical months of March and April since 2021. The community manages an ice stupa that fulfills their irrigation needs during this challenging period. This initiative was implemented with the support of the GLOF-II project, which provided essential resources such as water pipes and other materials required for constructing and maintaining these ingenious structures. Ice stupas work by freezing and storing water in the form of towering ice cones during winter, releasing it for agricultural and daily use when traditional water sources run dry. The concept, originally envisioned and pioneered by Ladakhi engineer Sonam Wangchuk, has proven to be a practical and sustainable solution for water management in mountainous regions.