Himalayan lakes in Himachal Pradesh are expanding at an alarming rate, with some growing up to 60% in just 10 years, according to a new study from IIT Mandi. The research, which examined 2,000 glacial lakes across the region, has classified nine out of twelve lakes as critical, warning they could pose serious risks to surrounding communities.
IIT Mandi Study Reveals Glacial Lake Expansion in Himachal
The study, led by Dericks P Shukla, founding chairperson and Associate Professor at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at IIT Mandi, highlights how climate change is reshaping the Himalayan landscape. According to the research, the rapid expansion of these water bodies is directly linked to glacial melting — a process that shows no signs of slowing down.
Shukla told ANI that the situation is complex and driven by multiple factors. The study's findings point to a combination of natural climate shifts and human activity accelerating the melt.
Tourism and Pollution Accelerate Glacial Melt
One of the more surprising findings from the IIT Mandi research involves the role of tourism in the region. Shukla explained that rising tourist footfall brings pollution and dust deposits onto glacier surfaces. These dark particles absorb more heat from the sun, speeding up the melting process.
According to ANI, Shukla stated that "rising tourism, which causes pollution and dust deposits on glaciers, has led to melting and climate change, which also cause permafrost melting, leading to instability in terrain."
"There are many aspects to it. The glaciers are melting, and the lakes are expanding." — Dericks P Shukla, IIT Mandi, via ANI
What the Critical Lake Classification Means
The classification of nine out of twelve lakes as "critical" is a serious warning. In glacial research, this designation typically means the lakes have reached a size or condition where they could pose a danger — often through glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), where a sudden breach in the natural dam holding the lake back releases massive volumes of water downstream.
The study's findings suggest that the combination of expanding lakes and unstable terrain creates a scenario where such events become more likely. The permafrost melting mentioned by Shukla adds another layer of risk, as it can destabilize the ground holding these lakes in place.
Our Take: A Warning That Demands Action
This study from IIT Mandi is more than just academic research — it is a clear warning signal. When scientists classify nine out of twelve lakes as critical, they are telling us that the risk is not theoretical or far off in the future. It is present and growing.
To put it plainly, the connection between tourism and glacial melt is something that policymakers in Himachal Pradesh need to take seriously. The region depends heavily on tourism for its economy, but if that same tourism is accelerating the destruction of the very landscape visitors come to see, then a balance must be found.
The expansion of these lakes by up to 60% in a single decade is a pace that outruns most adaptation plans. Communities living downstream of these lakes need to be informed, monitored, and prepared. The IIT Mandi study gives us the data — what happens next depends on whether those in charge act on it.