At the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation, held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan,
from May 29 to 31, 2025, India reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the cryosphere and supporting climate resilience. Representing India, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, delivered a strong address underscoring the urgent need for international collaboration, the sharing of scientific knowledge, and increased support for developing nations to tackle glacier retreat.
Glaciers, which serve as vital freshwater reservoirs and indicators of climate change, are receding at alarming rates. Shri Singh noted that this retreat is not a distant concern but a current crisis with wide-ranging consequences for water security, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of billions. The minister particularly highlighted the disproportionate impact on mountainous regions, such as the Himalayas, where glacial loss directly threatens fragile ecosystems and vulnerable communities.
India, as a Himalayan nation, has long recognised the strategic importance of preserving its glacier systems. Shri Singh outlined India’s robust efforts under the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE), a key pillar of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). India has also established the Centre for Cryosphere and Climate Change Studies, which serves as a hub for advanced research on glaciers and glacial lakes.
To monitor glacier dynamics, India is leveraging cutting-edge technologies, including remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) playing a central role. These efforts are supported by premier national institutions, including the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, and the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE). Together, these bodies generate critical data that informs climate policy and strengthens water resource management.
The minister also spoke about India’s proactive stance on climate-related disasters. The country has enhanced early warning systems and mapped Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) risks, led by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). However, Shri Singh emphasised that science and technology alone are insufficient; regional and global partnerships are crucial to enhance resilience and facilitate real-time data sharing and coordinated responses.
In a broader context, India’s participation in the Dushanbe conference reinforced its advocacy for equity and the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) in global climate policy. Shri Singh reminded the forum that South Asia has contributed little to cumulative global emissions but faces some of the most severe consequences of climate change.
India’s domestic climate action was also highlighted. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the country has made notable strides toward its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement:
- Over 48% of installed electricity capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources;
- A 36% reduction in the emission intensity of GDP between 2005 and 2020;
- Creation of an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent between 2005 and 2021.
In his concluding remarks, Shri Singh welcomed the UN’s declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034). He called for sustained global cooperation, shared scientific advancements, and equitable financial and technological support to developing nations. India, he affirmed, stands ready to lead and collaborate in global efforts to preserve glaciers, secure water futures, and safeguard the climate for future generations.
