Climate Instability in the Himalayas: Assessing Macroeconomic Risks to India's Growth
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A recent report, 'A Resilient Himalaya,' highlights that 21.5% of India's GDP is tethered to the Himalayan ecosystem, warning that glacial retreat and climate volatility pose severe threats to national water and food security.
The Himalayan ecosystem, often referred to as the 'Third Pole,' serves as the primary water tower for the Indian subcontinent. A new report titled 'A Resilient Himalaya' has brought to the fore the precarious nature of this dependency, estimating that approximately 21.5% of India's GDP—valued at roughly ₹64.8 lakh crore—is directly or indirectly underpinned by the stability of this region. The report underscores a critical nexus between cryospheric health and national economic output.
Rapid glacial retreat, driven by anthropogenic climate change, is fundamentally altering the hydrological cycle of the Indo-Gangetic plains. This region, which acts as the breadbasket of India, relies heavily on the perennial flow of Himalayan rivers for irrigation. The increasing unpredictability of these water sources threatens to disrupt agricultural productivity, which remains a cornerstone of the Indian economy. Furthermore, the report highlights the vulnerability of the hydropower sector. As glacial melt patterns become erratic, the reliability of run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects is compromised, potentially leading to energy deficits that could stifle industrial growth and manufacturing output.
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