Ice Stupas in Gilgit-Baltistan: A Remarkable Nature-Based Solution to Pakistan’s Water Crisis
Ice Stupas in Gilgit-Baltistan are revolutionizing water storage in northern Pakistan, offering a creative and eco-friendly solution to seasonal scarcity. Discover how these artificial glaciers are helping farmers fight climate change.
Ice Stupas in Gilgit-Baltistan have emerged as a beacon of hope for communities battling seasonal water shortages in northern Pakistan.
This mountainous region, home to towering peaks like K2 and Nanga Parbat, has relied for centuries on glacial meltwater. But climate change is rapidly disrupting this delicate balance.
Snowfall has become erratic, population growth is pushing agriculture to expand, and tourism is increasing water demand. The result? A dangerous spring dry spell that leaves communities without enough water for farming, drinking, or livestock.
What Are Ice Stupas in Gilgit-Baltistan?
Ice stupas are towering, conical ice structures designed to store winter water for spring use.
The concept was pioneered by engineer Sonam Wangchuk in Ladakh, India, in 2013 and adapted in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan in 2019.
The first local ice stupa was built in Paari village through a collaboration between Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and the UN Development Programme (UNDP). Today, at least 20 villages in the region have adopted the method.
How the Innovation Works
Building an Ice Stupa in Gilgit-Baltistan involves:
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Water Source – Water is piped from upstream mountain streams.
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Gravity Pressure – Pipes installed at higher elevations create water pressure.
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Freezing Process – The water sprays into the freezing winter air, gradually forming a towering ice structure.
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Spring Melt – As temperatures rise in April-May, the ice melts slowly, providing irrigation water.
Unlike Ladakh’s vertical ice sculptures, Gilgit-Baltistan’s ice stupas are often built on natural slopes, which helps keep pipes from freezing due to gravity pressure.
The required infrastructure is minimal: rubber pipes, a nozzle, connectors, and a sturdy base like a tree or bamboo pole. This makes the solution affordable for rural communities.
Community Impact and Success Stories
For many farmers, ice stupas have been life-changing.
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Zahra Bano, a farmer from Hussainabad, says the stupa ensures water during the sowing season. Her 1.5-acre farm now produces wheat, barley, maize, pears, apricots, almonds, apples, and vegetables.
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Villages report that before ice stupas, they could only grow one crop per season. Now, many can grow two, boosting food security and income.
Tourism-dependent towns like Skardu have also benefited, as increased water demand in spring can now be partially met without exhausting natural streams.
Limitations and Long-Term Concerns
While the success stories are inspiring, experts warn that ice stupas are not a permanent fix.
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Hamid Mir from WWF-Pakistan compares them to “freezer ice” — temporary and small-scale compared to natural glaciers.
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Amjad Masood from the University of Engineering and Technology notes that natural glaciers provide year-round water regulation, something ice stupas cannot replace.
Gilgit-Baltistan has over 7,000 glaciers, but rising temperatures are accelerating their melt, creating dangerous glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
Alternative and Complementary Solutions
To build long-term water security, experts suggest:
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Glacier grafting – An indigenous method to create new glaciers at high altitudes.
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Improved irrigation systems – To reduce water waste.
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Watershed conservation – Protecting upstream ecosystems to maintain water flow.
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Small-scale reservoirs – To capture and store snowmelt.
These solutions could work in synergy with ice stupas, ensuring both immediate relief and future resilience.
The Way Forward
Communities in Gilgit-Baltistan have shown remarkable ingenuity by adopting ice stupas. But scaling up requires:
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Government investment in sustainable water infrastructure.
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Scientific monitoring to optimize design and efficiency.
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Training programs so more villages can build and maintain them.
Until larger climate adaptation measures reach these remote valleys, Ice Stupas in Gilgit-Baltistan will remain a symbol of community strength and innovation against the odds.
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