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NGT Impleads NDMA in Case on Expanding, High-Risk Himalayan Glacial Lakes

The National Green Tribunal has impleaded the National Disaster Management Authority as a respondent in a suo motu case concerning the rapid expansion of Himalayan glacial lakes. The case stems from studies showing a 10.81% increase in glacial lake surface area from 2011-2024, with some lakes growing over 40%, placing them in a high-risk category for outburst floods. Such floods pose a severe threat to downstream habitations, roads, and hydropower projects. The NGT has directed the NDMA to file an affidavit detailing measures taken and suggestions to deal with the threat.

Key Points: NGT Adds NDMA to Case on Risky Himalayan Glacial Lake Expansion

  • Glacial lakes expanded 10.81% in 13 years
  • High risk of catastrophic outburst floods
  • NDMA made party to suggest measures
  • Next hearing scheduled for April 10
3 min read

NGT impleads NDMA in suo moto case on expanding Himalayan glacial lakes

NGT impleads NDMA in suo motu case on rapidly expanding Himalayan glacial lakes, citing a 10.81% area increase and high GLOF risk to infrastructure.

"urgent need for enhanced monitoring, early warning systems and improved flood management strategies - National Green Tribunal"

New Delhi, Jan 11

The National Green Tribunal has impleaded the National Disaster Management Authority as an additional respondent in a suo motu case concerning the rapid expansion of Himalayan glacial lakes and the growing risk they pose to lives and infrastructure downstream.

A bench, headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, was hearing two connected original applications registered suo motu (on its own motion) following media reports about glacial lakes multiplying in Himachal Pradesh and Tibet, and Himalayan glacial lakes expanding by 10.81 per cent over the past 13 years.

During the hearing, counsel for the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti submitted that the NDMA was a necessary party in the matter, highlighting that the authority's role and actions in dealing with such risks had already been referred to in a reply filed by one of the respondents.

Accepting the submission, the bench, also comprising Expert Member Dr A. Senthil Vel, ordered: "We implead NDMA as additional respondent," directing it to file a reply affidavit "along with the measures which have been adopted till now, and the suggestions to deal with the threat posed by the glacier lake in the country".

The green tribunal also directed its registry to issue notice to the NDMA and listed the matter for further hearing on April 10.

The suo moto case arises from news reports highlighting that climate change-induced glacier retreat has led to the formation and rapid expansion of glacial lakes across the Himalayan region, significantly increasing the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).

Such events can cause sudden and catastrophic flooding, threatening downstream habitations, roads, hydropower projects and other critical infrastructure.

Earlier, the NGT had noted that a study by the Central Water Commission (CWC) showed a 10.81 per cent increase in the surface area of Himalayan glacial lakes between 2011 and 2024, with India witnessing an even sharper rise of about 33.7 per cent during the same period.

The NGT had observed that several lakes had recorded more than a 40 per cent increase in size, placing them in a high-risk category for potential GLOF events, particularly in regions such as Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. It had stressed the "urgent need for enhanced monitoring, early warning systems and improved flood management strategies".

In a subsequent hearing, the green tribunal had expanded the scope of the matter by impleading multiple expert bodies, including the National Institute of Hydrology and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, and examined data placed on record by the CWC on trend analysis, risk indexing and downstream vulnerabilities linked to glacial lakes.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally, some proactive steps! After the Uttarakhand disasters, we cannot afford to be reactive. The NDMA must work with local communities to set up early warning systems. Hope the April 10 hearing leads to concrete action plans and not just another committee.
R
Rohit P
While the tribunal's concern is valid, I hope this doesn't become another case of bureaucratic ping-pong between agencies. We need on-ground solutions, not just affidavits and hearings. The focus should be on protecting people in Ladakh, Himachal, and Uttarakhand.
S
Sarah B
The scientific data is clear—climate change is accelerating this threat. It's good to see Indian institutions like NGT and CWC taking it seriously. International cooperation, especially regarding glacial lakes in Tibet that affect our rivers, is also crucial.
V
Vikram M
Respectfully, this feels like too little, too late. The study period is from 2011-2024. We've known about this risk for years. Why is the NDMA being impleaded only now? The "urgent need" was urgent a decade ago. Our disaster preparedness needs to be faster.
K
Kavya N
As someone from Shimla, this is not just news, it's our reality. Every monsoon we fear landslides and floods. The glaciers are our water source, but now they are becoming a threat. Hope the authorities listen to the people living there, not just sit in Delhi and decide.

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