Bringing Glaciers to New Delhi’s Attention: An Interdisciplinary Dialogue on the Himalayan Cryosphere

The Hindu Kush Himalaya is home to the largest concentration of glaciers outside the polar regions, providing crucial water sources for millions across South Asia. Despite its significance, the region lacks a dedicated regulatory framework for glacial management and preservation. As both an upper and lower riparian country, and a significant stakeholder in the Third Pole, India faces an urgent need for intervention. Existing policies do not adequately take into account the multiple stakeholders and uniqueness of glacial ecosystems and their distinctive characteristics, underscoring the need for specialised legal frameworks, administrative accountability, and clearly defined institutional responsibilities. Questions about the relationship between knowledge and policy, the national and international state system, and the intricate balance between human-biosphere-hydrosphere and cryosphere also demand attention. 

Against this backdrop, this event will serve as a platform to discuss the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework in India for glacial management and preservation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya. This panel discussion will bring together experts from policy, the bio-physical/natural science and social science academia, and think tanks to explore the key elements of a robust regulatory framework for sustainably governing the Himalayan cryosphere. The discussion will highlight essential components, potential challenges, and strategic pathways for implementation. Through an interdisciplinary expert-led discussion, this event seeks to raise awareness, drive policy conversations, and mobilize action toward protecting these fragile ecosystems.