Description

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Context

Study on permafrost degradation in Kashmir Himalayas highlights its impact on roads, hydropower projects & local communities emphasizing need for immediate policy interventions to mitigate climate risks.

Key Highlights

The study published in Remote Sensing Applications: Society & Environment was co authored by researchers from University of Kashmir & IIT-Bombay.

It highlights alarming consequences of permafrost degradation in Kashmir Himalayas affecting infrastructure, water resources & ecosystems.

Understanding Permafrost:

Permafrost refers to ground (soil, rock, or sediment) that has remained continuously frozen for at least two years.

Most permafrost has existed for millennia storing vast amounts of organic carbon.

Rising temperatures are causing permafrost to thaw releasing carbon dioxide & methane which contribute to global warming.

Findings:

Extent of Permafrost in Jammu & Kashmir & Ladakh

Permafrost covers 64.8% of total geographical area of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) & Ladakh.

It is classified into three types:

Continuous permafrost: 26.7% (most of soil is frozen).

Discontinuous permafrost: 23.8% (more than half of soil is frozen).

Sporadic permafrost: 14.3% (intermittent patches of frozen soil).

Ladakh Plateau has highest permafrost coverage (87%) while Jammu, Shigar Valley & Siwalik foothills have none.

Infrastructure & Population at Risk:

Impact on Infrastructure: Thawing permafrost poses a major risk to: 193 km of roads, 8 hydropower projects, 2,415 households & 903 alpine lakes

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs): 332 proglacial lakes were identified with 65 at important risk of GLOFs. South Lhonak Lake outburst (2023) & Chamoli Avalanche (2021) are examples of disasters linked to permafrost breaking down.

Data Collection & Research Methodology:

The study analyzed weekly satellite data (2002 to 2023) using MODIS sensors from NASA Terra & Aqua satellites.

A total of 1,176 land surface temperature images were examined.

222,236 pixels were studied to track freezing conditions & temperature variations.

Factors Contributing to Permafrost breaking down

Natural Factors

Main driver of permafrost degradation is rise in surface temperature.

Thawing ice exposes permafrost to further warming resulting in glacial shrinking.

Unstable slopes lead to mass wasting events like landslides & avalanches.

Human Induced Factors

Vegetation protects permafrost from direct solar radiation but deforestation and change in land use affects it.

Construction of roads, hydropower plants & buildings disrupts permafrost.

Increased foot traffic & vehicular movement from traffic and military presence exacerbate permafrost break down.

Consequences of Permafrost Melting

Environmental Impact

Thawing permafrost releases methane & carbon dioxide accelerating global warming.

Reduced groundwater recharge due to melting rock glaciers. Altered river flow patterns affecting agriculture & drinking water supply.

Infrastructure Damage

Permafrost thaw weakens ground causing road collapses & structural failures.

Melting permafrost destabilizes reservoirs & dams. Increased GLOF events threaten hydropower projects.

Strategic roads (e.g. in Ladakh) are vulnerable. Military bases & border outposts face structural risks.

Recommendations for Mitigation

Policy & Infrastructure Planning

Incorporate Permafrost Mapping in environmental impact assessments.

Restrict Construction in High Risk Zones to prevent long-term damage.

Develop Climate Resilient Infrastructure suited for permafrost-rich regions.

Monitoring & Early Warning Systems

Install In Situ Data Loggers to monitor permafrost temperature variations.

Expand Satellite Surveillance to track permafrost degradation in real-time.

Improve Disaster Preparedness for GLOFs & Landslides.

Sustainable Land-Use Practices

Prevent Deforestation & Land-Use Changes in permafrost zones.

Encourage Eco-Friendly Tourism to reduce human-induced pressure.

Adopt Controlled Development Measures in permafrost-prone areas.

Way Forward

The study emphasizes need for proactive governance to tackle permafrost thawing risks.

Increased awareness is crucial to integrating permafrost considerations in disaster management.

Learning from countries like Canada & Russia where permafrost studies have led to better infrastructure adaptation.

Laws & Policies Related to Permafrost & Climate Change in India

Law/Policy	Year	Key Provisions	Relevance to Permafrost & Climate Change
Environment Protection Act	1986	Provides a legal framework for environmental protection. Empowers government to regulate emissions & activities harmful to ecosystems.	Can be used to regulate construction & industrial activities in ecologically fragile permafrost zones.
Forest Conservation Act	1980	Restricts deforestation & land-use change in protected areas. Requires government approval for diverting forest land for non-forest purposes.	Helps in preserving vegetation that insulates permafrost from direct solar radiation.
Wildlife Protection Act	1972	Protects biodiversity, including high-altitude ecosystems. Establishes national parks, wildlife sanctuaries & conservation reserves.	Helps safeguard fragile cryospheric ecosystems, including glaciers & permafrost regions.
National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)	2008	Framework for climate adaptation & mitigation strategies. Includes eight missions, such as National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE).	NMSHE directly addresses Himalayan cryosphere changes, including permafrost degradation.
State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs)	Various	States develop region-specific climate resilience strategies. Integrates local environmental concerns into policy.	Some Himalayan states like J&K, Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand include glacial & permafrost concerns in their SAPCCs.
Disaster Management Act	2005	Establishes a legal framework for disaster preparedness & response. Forms National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).	Can be applied to mitigate risks from glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) linked to permafrost thawing.
National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC)	2015	Provides financial assistance for climate adaptation projects. Targets agriculture, water resources & forestry.	Funding can be directed toward monitoring & mitigating permafrost thaw impacts.
National Water Policy	2012	Focuses on water conservation & sustainable resource management. Recognizes impact of climate change on water availability.	Addresses water supply risks from permafrost-fed rivers & glacial retreat.
Glacier & Permafrost Research Initiatives	Ongoing	Indian institutions like Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) & National Centre for Polar & Ocean Research (NCPOR) study permafrost dynamics.	Generates scientific data for better policy formulation & risk assessment.
Hydropower Development Policies	Various	Regulations for constructing & maintaining hydroelectric projects. Requires environmental impact assessments (EIA).	Can be used to ensure permafrost considerations are included in hydropower planning & risk assessments.

For more information, please visit IAS GYAN

Sources:

HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Which of following statements regarding permafrost is/are correct?

Permafrost is found only in polar regions of Earth.
Thawing permafrost releases methane which is a potent greenhouse gas.
In India permafrost is primarily found in Western Ghats.

Select correct answer using code below:
(a) 1 & 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 & 3 only
(d) 1, 2 & 3

Correct Answer: (b)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Permafrost is not limited to polar regions; it is also found in high altitude areas including Himalayas, Alps & Andes. In India permafrost is present in Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand.

Statement 2 is correct: When permafrost thaws it releases methane (CH₄) & carbon dioxide (CO₂) contributing to global warming. Methane is particularly concerning because it is 25 times more potent than CO₂ in trapping heat over a 100 year period.

Statement 3 is incorrect: In India permafrost is not found in Western Ghats which have tropical climate. It is predominantly present in Himalayan region due to high altitudes & cold temperatures.