Climate Change in Uttarakhand

 (1) Introduction

The Uttarakhand is a Himalayan state and is also affectionately named as the Devbhoomi (Land of the Gods) with its sacred rivers, snow-white peaks, dense forests and spiritual heritage. With Char Dham shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath, to the calm lakes of Nainital and the glacial origin of the Ganga and Yamuna, Uttarakhand is not just a geographical location, but a cultural, as well as ecological jewel. However, there is also an increasing crisis of this paradise climate change. Uttarakhand is highly sensitive to global warming since it is a part of the delicate Himalayan ecosystem. Even slight temperature or rain increase or decrease have disproportionately high effects. The state has suffered flash floods, landslides, forest fires, and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and even the gradual sinking of towns such as Joshimath, over the past 20 years.  

(2) The Himalayas Climate Change: why uttarakhand is at risk ? 

The Himalayas have been referred to as the Third Pole of the planet due to the fact that it has the highest concentration of frozen water both after the Arctic and the Antarctic. Uttarakhand, a state located in the Central Himalayas, boasts of over 1 400 glaciers, which supply the sacred rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi. The rate of retreating of these glaciers is increasing. 

Among the primary causes of vulnerability:

• Fragile Geology - Young fold mountains which are vulnerable to landslides and erosion.
• Slopes and Steep Grounds - The slightest precipitations result in floods and landslides.
• Population Pressure- Increasing tourism, hydro power development, and urbanization.
• Climate Sensitivity - Himalayan ecosystems are highly sensitive to increase in temperature. Uttarakhand has therefore turned into a climate hot spot where the effects are severe compared to the plains.

Uttarakhand has therefore turned into a climate hot spot where the effects are severe compared to the plains.

(3) Increasing Temperatures and melting away

Research indicates that the mean temperature in Uttarakhand has increased by almost 0.6 degree Celsius over the last 100 years with high-altitude areas warming at a higher rate. Gangotri, Pindari and Milam glaciers are receding at a high rate.

The Gangotri Glacier that used to move 30 meters a year is now moving back nearly 20 meters a year. This causes the glacial lakes, which are usually erratic to form.When such lakes overflow, they bring about Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), which wipe villages away downstream.

At least in part, the Chamoli tragedy (2021) was caused by a glacial break, which killed over 200 people and demolished 2 hydropower projects. Such incidences demonstrate the direct threat of elevated temperatures on the existence of human life and facilities.

(4) Modification of Rainfall and extreme weather.

The rainfall in Uttarakhand has really become very unpredictable. The Monsoon, formerly distributed through 3 months of the year, has mostly become available in short bursts of heavy rainfall. Cloudbursts (heavy rainfall in a short period of time) have become more frequent. Such incidents are common in towns such as Joshimath, Dharali and Uttarkashi.

• Kedarnath Disaster (2013): Excessive rainfall caused landslides and floods which resulted in the death of over 5,000 people.
• Dharali Cloudburst (2025): The ruined houses and farms indicate that extreme events will become events every year. This changes do not only interfere with human settlements but also with agriculture. Stress is being experienced in crops such as paddies, wheat and millets because their rainfall is received too late and hit by hailstorms.

This changes do not only interfere with human settlements but also with agriculture. Stress is being experienced in crops such as paddies, wheat and millets because their rainfall is received too late and hit by hailstorms.

Dharali Cloudburst

(5) Biodiversity Loss and Forest Fires

The forests of Uttarakhand occupy an area of almost 45 percent of the state, which is home to leopards, musk deer, Himalayan monal, and hundreds of medicinal plants. The climatic change is however dehydrating the soil and plants making forests more inflammable.

• Forest Fires: Thousand of forest fire incidences occur in Uttarakhand every summer. In 2022 over 1,200 hectares of forest were burnt.

Increased temperatures, long dry seasons and human carelessness contribute to the rapidity of these fires.

• Biodiversity Loss: This causes animals to be displaced and this interferes with the ecological balance. Road, hydropower, and urban development further destroys ecosystems that would otherwise have served as natural climate stabilizers.

Road, hydropower, and urban development further destroys ecosystems that would otherwise have served as natural climate stabilizers.

(6) Provocations by Humans that aggravate the Crisis.

Although the cause is global warming, unsustainable development in Uttarakhand has exacerbated the destruction:

• Hydropower Projects - Thousands of dams on Alaknanda, Bhagirathi and Mandakini rivers disrupt the river streams and destabilize banks.
• The Unplanned Tourism - Pilgrimage rush ( Char Dham Yatra, Hemkund Sahib, Valley of Flowers ) generates huge amounts of waste, water shortages and traffic congestions.
• Deforestation - Travel and encroachment of forests by roads, hotels etc. decrease natural buffers.
• Urban Growth - Cities such as Joshimath and Mussoorie are experiencing land subsidence as a result of haphazard construction.

(7) Climate change has socio-economic effects.

Climate change is not a mere ecological based problem, but it has an extensive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people.

• Agriculture: There is unpredictable weather which causes farmers to lose their crops leading to many giving up farming.
• Migration: Uttarakhand has over 1,700 villages with the entire population or part of it depopulated to form ghost villages.
• Tourism Loss: Disruption of the tourist economy is a significant source of revenue because landslides and floods destroy it.
• Water Scarcity: Natural springs (naulas and dharas) are becoming dry and it is becoming difficult to collect water, particularly among women. Climate change weighs more on the vulnerable populations poor families, women, children and old age.

Climate change weighs more on the vulnerable populations poor families, women, children and old age.

(8) Solutions and Way Forward

Uttarakhand needs local adaptation and international collaboration in the battle against climate change. Short-Term Actions

• Early alerts on cloudbursts and floods.

• Disaster training in the community and better rescue troops.

• Tough control on construction in the eco-sensitive areas.

Long-Term Measures

• Sustainable Tourism: The encouraging of eco-tourism and reducing the number of tourists in vulnerable areas. 
• Afforestation & Forest Protection: Inclusion of the local people in Van Panchayats (forest councils).
• Green Energy Alternatives: The encouragement of solar, wind and small scale hydro rather that mega dams. 
• Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Drought-resistant crops, organic agriculture, and rain water harvesting.
• Urban Planning: Cease the careless building, impose scientific planning policies.
• Policy & Awareness: Educate schools and villages on climate awareness.

(9) Conclusion

Uttarakhand stands at a critical crossroads. The melting glaciers, burning forests, devastating floods, and sinking towns are no longer rare accidents — they are warnings of a rapidly changing climate. This fragile Himalayan state is telling us that if we continue on the path of reckless development and ignore environmental limits, disasters will become the new normal. At the same time, Uttarakhand also holds the key to solutions. By adopting sustainable practices, reviving traditional wisdom, and balancing development with ecology, the state can emerge as a model for climate resilience in the Himalayas. Protecting Uttarakhand is not just about saving one state — it is about safeguarding the rivers, biodiversity, culture, and the very lifeline of millions of people across India. The time to act is now.