Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan – Nestled among the mighty Karakoram and Himalayan ranges, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan are facing an escalating water crisis. Rising global temperatures, unpredictable snowfall, and increasing demand from farming and tourism have placed immense strain on the region’s fragile water resources. In the face of this challenge, local communities have embraced a unique innovation: ice stupas – artificial glaciers that provide a lifeline during the driest months of the year.

Climate Change Threatens Gilgit-Baltistan’s Lifeline

For centuries, the valleys of northern Pakistan have relied on glacial melt to sustain life. However, with climate change disrupting snowfall patterns and glaciers retreating faster than ever, water shortages have become a growing concern. Agriculture, livestock, and household needs are all under pressure, especially during spring when snowmelt is insufficient, and rainfall is scarce.

What Are Ice Stupas?

The concept of ice stupas was introduced in Ladakh, India, by engineer Sonam Wangchuk in 2013. The method involves piping water from mountain streams and spraying it into freezing winter air, where it solidifies into towering conical structures resembling glaciers. As temperatures rise in April and May, these artificial ice towers melt gradually, releasing stored water exactly when it is most needed for crops.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, the first ice stupa was built in 2019 in Paari village through a joint initiative of Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and the UNDP. Since then, more than 20 villages have constructed their own, with communities working together to ensure water security during critical months.

How Ice Stupas Are Built in Gilgit-Baltistan

Unlike Ladakh, where water is sprayed vertically on flat terrain, Gilgit-Baltistan’s stupas are built along natural slopes. Water from higher elevations is funneled through pipes, creating enough pressure to spray upward like a fountain. In freezing night temperatures, the water crystallizes into ice, gradually forming a glacier-like structure.

The process requires minimal resources – rubber pipes, nozzles, connectors, and a base such as tall bushes or a tree to support the nozzle. Local villagers manage the upkeep collectively, conducting inspections and repairs during the melting season. This has created not only a water source but also a sense of community ownership.

A Lifeline for Farmers

For farmers like Zahra Bano of Hussainabad village, the ice stupa has been life-changing. Before 2022, her family struggled with severe water shortages during the sowing season. Today, thanks to the artificial glacier, her farm produces wheat, barley, maize, fruits like apricots, apples, and almonds, and a variety of vegetables. Livestock too benefits from the steady water supply.

Another farmer explained that before ice stupas, only one crop per year was possible due to water scarcity. Now, with improved irrigation, multiple crops can be cultivated, boosting both food security and household income.

Experts Caution: Not a Permanent Solution

While ice stupas provide much-needed relief, experts warn they cannot replace natural glaciers. “They are like freezer ice – temporary and seasonal,” notes Hamid Mir of WWF-Pakistan. True glaciers, by contrast, act as massive reservoirs, feeding rivers across South Asia throughout the year.

Water management experts suggest that Pakistan must complement such community-driven solutions with broader strategies, including:

• Efficient irrigation systems
• Watershed conservation
• Mountain reservoirs
• Glacier grafting (an indigenous technique to grow new glaciers)

Pakistan’s Way Forward

Pakistan is home to over 7,000 glaciers, yet climate change threatens their survival. More than 3,000 glacial lakes have already formed in Gilgit-Baltistan, many posing risks of dangerous floods. To secure the future of its water resources, the country needs long-term policies alongside grassroots innovations like ice stupas.

For now, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan continue to rely on their ingenuity. Each ice stupa represents resilience, community effort, and a symbol of hope in the face of an uncertain climate future.