Permafrost Degradation in the Kashmir Himalaya

Permafrost degradation presents a significant environmental threat in the Kashmir Himalaya, potentially impacting various infrastructures and ecosystems.

Key Findings of the Study

• The study highlights that melting permafrost could threaten: 
  • 193 km of roads
  • 2,415 households
  • 903 alpine lakes
  • Eight hydropower projects
• Permafrost covers 64.8% of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh, with: 
  • 26.7% continuous permafrost
  • 23.8% discontinuous permafrost
  • 14.3% sporadic permafrost
• Ladakh plateau hosts the highest extent (87%) of permafrost.

Research Methodology

• Analysis of 1,176 land surface temperature images over 21 years using MODIS sensor on NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites.
• The study identified areas with consistent frozen temperatures and those with intermittent freezing conditions across approximately 222,236 pixels in J&K and Ladakh.

Environmental and Human Impacts

• Permafrost stores organic carbon, releasing methane as it thaws, contributing to climate change.
• Human activities exacerbating permafrost degradation include: 
  1. Deforestation
  2. Land-use changes
  3. Infrastructure development
  4. Tourism activities
• Natural processes like earthquakes also disrupt permafrost integrity.

Risks and Recommendations

• Risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are increasing, with 65 out of 332 proglacial lakes in J&K identified as high-risk.
• Permafrost degradation may affect groundwater and river flow, although research is limited.
• Infrastructure in permafrost areas is at risk, impacting national security and connectivity, especially in Ladakh.
• Recommendations include: 
  1. Incorporating permafrost data in future infrastructure planning.
  2. Enhancing environmental impact assessments to include cryospheric hazards.
  3. Deploying in-situ data loggers for better temperature monitoring.

Conclusion

Increasing awareness and integrating permafrost considerations into policy and infrastructure development is crucial to mitigate potential risks and ensure sustainable development in the Kashmir Himalaya.