The Yala glacier (Nepal) retreated by 680m and witnessed significant reduction in area (36%) between 1974 and 2021.

• It is the only glacier in entire Himalayas to be included in the Global Glacier Casualty List (GGCL) which highlights accelerating impact of climate change on Himalayan glaciers/cryospeher.
  • The cryosphere is the frozen part of the Earth, including snow, ice, and frozen ground.
• The GGCL project was launched in 2024 by Rice University, University of Iceland, Iceland Glaciological Society, World Glacier Monitoring Service, & UNESCO.

About Glacier Retreat

• Glacier retreat is the process by which glaciers shrink in size & mass due to melting, evaporation, and other causes.
• Glaciers Already Lost:  Pico Humboldt Glacier, Venezuela (2024), Sarenne Glacier, France (2023).
  • Dagu glacier in China is expected to disappear by 2030. 

Impact of Melting Glaciers/Cryosphere

• Disruption of Ecosystem & livelihoods: Glaciers and ice sheets hold approximately 70% of the world’s freshwater, essential for ecosystems & human life.
  • e.g., 240 million people in the Hindu Kush Himalaya rely on the cryosphere for survival.
• Increased Risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs): Rapid glacier melting creates unstable glacial lakes that can breach, causing catastrophic floods.
• Climate Feedback Loop: Melting glaciers reduce Earth's reflectivity (albedo), absorbing more heat & accelerating global warming.