Sonam Wangchuk an engineer, Innovator, and education reformist known for his ground breaking work in sustainable technology, including ice stupa has revolutionized water conservation in arid
areas of Ladakh.
During a speech at the UN Conference on climate change in Islamabad Pakistan.
He addressed the world about the raising concern of melting glaciers and its adverse effects on the globe.
His primary focus was based on water conservation where he mentioned some effective ways of conservation. He called height a valuable resource that is precious than oil or gold.
His vision always has been to store water as glaciers be it artificial or natural.
He spoke about the 3 strategies to store water:
1: Freeze: If the water flowing in streams is frozen into glaciers by just gravity could help to store it for springs and summer when it is needed the most by farmers. He wants to refreeze the glacial lakes by siphoning out the water and reducing the risk on floods or landslides.
2: As per Mr. Wangchuk the snow in the Hindukush region is going to be very less in coming decade therefore, we should learn to save the rain and not let it get wasted by surface run off.
For this he says that we need to absorb it at heights by increasing the greenery in mountains.
He also talked about making of check dams or ice dams which would not need to be reconstructed in flood prone areas saving the costs.
3: Educating the people be it old or young is the most important aspect. People of the Hindu –Kush as per Sonam Wangchuk need to relearn and reeducate themselves about the climate and use of sustainable energy like solar heating during winters to secure a better future.
To the same cause Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL) was established to educate the people of the region and hopes to establish such universities in Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan.
The above-mentioned strategies can be effective for regional cause but not for the whole world.
He also addressed the crucial reason of climate change, the Metropolitan cities which are the origin of climate change due to which the people of mountain struggle. He also added that the regional cities of Kashmir, Punjab, Bihar, UP, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh where tons of carbon
dioxide and soot is produced. Since soot settles on the glaciers and help absorb more heat thereby adding to the misery of climate change and glacial melting.
As per Mr. Sonam Wangchuk the world only focusses on the supply chain but we need to focus on the principle of living simple life to reduce demands and thereby carbon footprint.
As he said, “Live simply in the city so that we in the mountains live” He also urges the world leaders to address the issue as many deny climate change, while praising
PM Modi for the initiate of “Mission Life” a step towards simple sustainable life.
At last, his vision is to see a currency that could be in the form of Oxygen and Carbin credits.
He believes as the Cooperate world gets credits for water conservation and lesser carbon dioxide production. Similarly, the communities protecting the resources should have monetary benefits.
So should be the case with the nations protecting the wildlife and natural resources
Conclusion, we need to admit the fact that the anthropogenic activities have caused adverse effects to the earth in just the recent century and it is going to be us who shall face consequences if we do not work for the cause. In order to live a better future, we all need to come together and make this world of ours a heaven for our upcoming generations.
This story Is not Edited by Team The KashPost,
Author Ibn Qalam