NGT issues notice to Centre over risks from hanging glaciers in Central Himalaya
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500+ questions on Environment with explanations
📌 Summary:
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National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued notice to Central government over risks posed by "hanging glaciers" in the Central Himalayan region
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Hanging glaciers: Glaciers perched on steep mountain faces; particularly unstable; calve (break off) causing sudden ice avalanches and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)
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Central Himalayas (Uttarakhand, HP) have seen increased glacial incidents: 2021 Chamoli disaster (Rishiganga/Dhauliganga rivers), 2023 incidents in Sikkim
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NGT concern: Government lacks comprehensive monitoring framework for hanging glaciers; no real-time hazard mapping; downstream communities at risk
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Climate change connection: Rising temperatures are accelerating glacial melt, increasing frequency of GLOFs and ice avalanche events
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India's glacial resources: Himalayas have ~9,575 glaciers covering 37,000 sq km — "Third Pole"; feed Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra systems
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Demanded actions: Hazard mapping, community evacuation plans, real-time monitoring stations, coordination with NDMA
📌 UPSC Relevance:
- GS3: Glacier hazards, GLOF, disaster management, NGT jurisdiction | GS1: Himalayan geography
📌 Prelims Facts:
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NGT: National Green Tribunal — quasi-judicial body under NGT Act 2010
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GLOF: Glacial Lake Outburst Flood — sudden release of water from glacial lake
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Chamoli disaster (Feb 2021): Glacier collapse on Nanda Devi; ~200 dead/missing
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