The National Green Tribunal has included the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as an additional respondent in a case regarding the rapid growth of Himalayan glacial lakes and the resulting risks to downstream areas. The bench, led by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, took this step after media reports highlighted the increase in glacial lakes in Himachal Pradesh and Tibet, with Himalayan glacial lakes expanding by 10.81% over 13 years.
During the proceedings, the counsel for the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti emphasized the importance of involving the NDMA due to its role in addressing such risks. In response, the bench, which also includes Expert Member Dr. A. Senthil Vel, directed the NDMA to submit a reply affidavit outlining the actions taken so far and proposing measures to address the glacier lake threat in the country.
The green tribunal instructed its registry to notify the NDMA and scheduled the next hearing for April 10. The case stems from reports indicating that climate change-induced glacier retreat has led to the formation and expansion of glacial lakes in the Himalayas, heightening the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
The NGT had previously highlighted a significant increase in the surface area of Himalayan glacial lakes, particularly in India, noting a rise of about 33.7% between 2011 and 2024. Stressing the need for enhanced monitoring and flood management strategies, the tribunal identified high-risk lakes in regions like Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
In a subsequent hearing, the NGT broadened the case’s scope by involving expert bodies such as the National Institute of Hydrology and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. It analyzed data provided by the Central Water Commission on trend analysis, risk indexing, and downstream vulnerabilities associated with glacial lakes.
