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Water, ice, society, and ecosystems in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

14.07.2023

A major assessment report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) reveals unprecedented and largely irreversible changes to the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region's glaciers, snow and permafrost due to global warming. The report, titled "Water, Ice, Society, and Ecosystems in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HI-WISE)," maps the links between the cryosphere, water, biodiversity and society in the region, highlighting the impacts of rapid glacier and snow changes on people and nature.

Glaciers in the HKH could lose up to 80 percent of their volume by the end of the century on current emissions trajectories. Under high emissions scenarios, snow cover may decline by up to 25 percent, severely reducing freshwater for major rivers like the Amu Darya, Indus and Helmand. Diminishing permafrost will lead to more landslides and infrastructure challenges at higher elevations.

The report emphasizes the urgent need for support and investments to help communities and governments prepare for the accelerated impacts caused by cryosphere changes. Additionally, it provides recommendations for policymakers on addressing the cascading impacts of climate change in the critical mountain biome, which will affect a quarter of the world’s population. 

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