| Experts have warned that rapid melting and shrinking of glaciers, including the iconic Kolahai Glacier, could leave a large section of Kashmir’s population grappling with an acute drinking water crisis in the coming decades if the current trend continues.
The Valley has lost more than 30 percent of its glacier mass over the past six decades, raising serious concerns over its future water security.
Glaciers are often described as “water towers” because they store freshwater and release it gradually, sustaining rivers, springs and streams throughout the year. In Kashmir, they feed the Jhelum and numerous tributaries that support agriculture, horticulture, hydropower generation and domestic |