Muhammad Arif Goheer highlights critical role of Cryosphere in South Asia

13 September, 2024

He highlighted the increasing vulnerability of the cryosphere, specifically the diminishing snow cover and accelerating glacier melt, as key challenges facing South Asia.

Goheer explained that the cryosphere, comprising snow, ice, and frozen ground, plays a pivotal role in regulating water flows in South Asia's river systems. The steady melt of glaciers feeds major rivers such as the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra, providing essential water for drinking, agriculture, and energy production. However, with the cryosphere shrinking at an alarming rate due to global warming, this critical water source is under threat.

"The changes we are witnessing in the cryosphere will have far-reaching consequences, especially for countries like Pakistan, India, and Nepal, where millions rely on the seasonal meltwater for their livelihoods," Goheer said. He added that reduced snow cover would lead to lower river flows in the future, directly impacting agriculture, hydropower, and overall economic stability.

In addition to water security, Goheer emphasized the broader climatic implications of cryosphere degradation. The loss of glaciers and snow cover is not only raising sea levels globally but also altering regional weather patterns, exacerbating issues like unpredictable monsoons and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events.

Concluding his remarks, Goheer called for immediate and concerted efforts to address these changes through sustainable management practices, regional cooperation, and the strengthening of climate resilience strategies.

The event, organized by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), brought together leading climate scientists, policymakers, and development experts to discuss the implications of cryosphere changes and explore potential mitigation strategies to safeguard the region’s water and food security.