Water is deeply connected with human culture, traditions, social values and life itself. It is essential to human survival, shaping civilizations and sustaining ecosystems. From birth rituals to death rites, water plays a critical role in connecting people to the land and each other. According to the Hindu philosophy, the universe is composed of Pancha Tattwa (five fundamental elements), with water being one of the most essential components
Despite the abundance of water on Earth—covering approximately 71% of the planet—only 3% is freshwater, and less than 0.5% of that is accessible for human consumption. With global freshwater becoming increasingly scarce, the urgency for robust water conservation efforts has never been greater.
Currently, half of the global population faces water scarcity at least part of the year, with a quarter experiencing extreme water stress. This increasing challenge has provoked the United Nations to designate March 22 as World Water Day, an initiative aimed at raising awareness and promoting sustainable water management. Observed annually, World Water Day aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which seeks to ensure access to water and sanitation for all by 2030.
The theme for World Water Day 2025, "Glacier Preservation," underscores the pivotal role that glaciers play in global water security. Glaciers store approximately 70% of the Earth's freshwater, making them essential reservoirs for nearly 2 billion people worldwide. A study revealed that 1.3 billion people in South Asia depend on freshwater sourced directly or indirectly from the Hindu Kush Himalayan mountains. However, glaciers are rapidly losing mass, with 600 gigatons of water lost in 2023 alone—the highest recorded mass loss in half a century. As these ice masses melt, they not only contribute to rising sea levels but also threaten water supplies, particularly in regions heavily dependent on glacial meltwater for drinking, sanitation, irrigation, and other household level use.
Himalayan glacier breaks in India, districts on high alert for...
Nepal, a country renowned for its water resources, faces a paradox when it comes to water accessibility. While the country receives an estimated 225 billion cubic meters of water annually, the distribution of this resource is highly seasonal, causing both floods during the monsoon months and severe shortages in other periods. Nepal is often referred to as the "Water Tower of Asia" due to the presence of vast glaciers and high-altitude lakes, which feed the country's major rivers, such as the Koshi, Gandaki, and Mahakali.
Over 25,000 glacial lakes exist in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, with 47 of them considered potentially hazardous due to the risk of Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). Nepal alone is home to more than 1,000 glacial lakes, and GLOFs have become increasingly frequent, causing devastation to local communities and infrastructure. For instance, the Thyanbo Glacial Lake outburst on August 16, 2024, resulted in the destruction of homes, a school, and a health post, further highlighting the urgent need to address glacier preservation and water security.
Climate change is a key driver of the accelerated loss of glaciers.Even with global temperature limits set by the Paris Agreement, Nepal's Himalayan region will have been experienced a temperature rise of 0.3°C to 0.7°C. Even global temperature limits upto 1.5°C as per Parish agreement, projections suggest that 36% of Himalayan ice could melt by the end of the 21st century, leading to severe consequences such as devastating floods, infrastructure damage, and the exacerbation of drinking water shortages in downstream communities.
The consequence of declining river flows due to melting glaciers are far-reaching. Reduced water availability has already resulted in energy shortages in several countries, with some experiencing up to long hour power outages. The impact on food security is also significant, as the reduction in available water for irrigation hampers agricultural productivity. Additionally, the tourism industry, particularly in countries like Nepal, is feeling the effects. The iconic snow-capped peaks, which are a major attraction among tourists, nowadays have turned bare which is evident from the photos circulated. Some mountains, such as Machhapuchhre, have begun to lose their visual appeal as glaciers recede, raising concerns about the future of mountain tourism—a major economic sector in Nepal.
Nepal has long been a vocal advocate for climate action, especially in relation to the preservation of its glaciers and the broader Himalayan ecosystem. In 2023, during the visit of UN Secretary-General António Guterres to Nepal, the urgency of preserving the glaciers was underscored, with calls for global collaboration to address the climate crisis. Furthermore, at the COP29 conference in Baku, President Ram Chandra Paudel advocated for the reallocation of military funds to combat climate change and protect vulnerable ecosystems like the Himalayas. Nepal has also revived its flagship climate diplomacy forum, the Sagarmatha Sambad, as part of its efforts to rally international support for climate justice and the protection of the country's water resources which is planned in May 2025.
The direct link between glacier loss and drinking water security is undeniable. In Nepal, many communities rely on glacial meltwater for their daily water needs, including drinking, sanitation, and irrigation. However, as glaciers melt, they initially create water surpluses, which can cause flooding in the short term which directly affects the WASH structure, increasing contamination due to the intrusion of wastewater and storm water into drinking water supply systems and groundwater. Over time, however, the reduced glacial mass leads to severe water shortages, particularly during the dry seasons. Furthermore, higher temperatures contribute to increased bacterial contamination, raising the risk of water-borne and water -related diseases. Marginalized communities, people living with poverty, people with disability and single women are frontline to face the shortage of WASH services during disaster.
Nepal continues its advocacy to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C under the Paris Agreement, despite its minimal greenhouse gas emissions of just 0.027%. The country can strategically utilize the Green Climate Fund to build resilient WASH infrastructure, ensuring uninterrupted services during disasters. Communities can adopt alternative water management strategies, including rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, local climate-resilient WASH planning, and risk zone identification based on hazard and vulnerability assessments. Sectoral coordination among relevant government and non-government organizations is essential for the optimal utilization of resources, addressing knowledge gaps, leveraging expertise, and preventing the duplication of data collection efforts. In the long term, capacity-building initiatives will empower communities to identify and utilize local resources to adapt to climate change impacts effectively.
Technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence-powered predictive tools and early warning systems, can play a crucial role in improving disaster preparedness and resource management. Early detection of potential GLOF events, for instance, could save lives and protect infrastructure from catastrophic damage.The Ministry of Water Supply's initiative to develop WASH plans for each local government in Nepal must incorporate CR-WASH components. Additionally, the WASH system design guidelines should be revised to ensure climate resilience.
Preserving glaciers is not just an environmental necessity; it is a matter of survival. As we commemorate World Water Day 2025, let us recognize the critical importance of glaciers in securing the future of our water resources. By taking decisive action against climate change and committing to the preservation of our glaciers, we can ensure access to clean drinking water for future generations. Glacier preservation is integral not only to environmental sustainability but also to the health and prosperity of communities worldwide. The time to act is now—our water future depends on it.
(Anand Gautam has been involved in various national and international organizations related to the drinking water and sanitation sector for the past two decades. The above opinion is solely that of the author and does not represent any organization’s viewpoint.)