The NGT is looking into the issue of melting glaciers resulting in an increase in the size of glacier lakes, and the danger of their overflowing and bursting, with consequential effects.
| Photo Credit: AP
The Central Water Commission (CWC) has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that 34 out of the 100 glacial lakes it studied in India have an “increasing trend” in the water spread area, according to an order issued by the NGT.
The NGT is looking into the issue of melting glaciers resulting in an increase in the size of glacier lakes, and the danger of their overflowing and bursting, with consequential effects, based on an article published by The Hindu in 2024, which featured a study that suggested the rise in glacial lakes in Himachal Pradesh’s river basins could be disastrous downstream, if the lakes burst their bounds for any reason.
The CWC report states that of the 100 glacial lakes over 10 hectares in size, there was an increasing trend in water spread area in 34, a decreasing trend in 20, a “no change trend” in 44, and “no analysis” was carried out on two lakes.
The NGT has also directed the National Institute of Hydrology to file an affidavit on suggestions and remedial measures, according to an order of the NGT dated July 14. The order was given by the Principal Bench of the NGT, comprising Chairperson Prakash Shrivastava, Judicial Member Sudhir Agarwal, Judicial Member Arun Kumar Tyagi, and Expert Member A. Senthil Vel.
“CWC monitors 902 glacial lakes and water bodies larger than 10 hectares across several states and transboundary areas using remote sensing, publishing monthly reports online. It has developed risk indexing criteria for 100 lakes and has approved 90 project-based GLOF [Glacial Lake Outburst Flood] studies. CWC also participates in disaster risk reduction committees under NDMA [National Disaster Management Authority] and oversees the National GLOF Risk Mitigation Program [2021-2026] with a budget of ₹150 crore,” the report dated July 8 read.
Published – July 16, 2025 10:39 pm IST
