Ice Stupas: Pakistan’s Ingenious Solution to Water Scarcity

In Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, farmers are combating reduced snowfall and insufficient spring meltwater—caused by global warming—by building artificial glaciers known as “Ice Stupas.” 🌿 What Are Ice Stupas? Ice Stupas are cone-shaped ice structures resembling Buddhist pagodas. During winter, villagers divert mountain spring water through pipes and spray it into the air at night, allowing it to freeze and accumulate layer by layer. These towers gradually melt in spring, providing a steady irrigation supply for farmlands. 💧 Proven Success Since 2018, over 20 villages have adopted this technique, benefiting more than 16,000 residents. For example, Hussainabad village built 8 Ice Stupas in one winter, storing approximately 20 million liters of water. 🌍 Climate Resilience in Action Gilgit-Baltistan is home to over 13,000 glaciers, making it the largest non-polar glacial region. However, climate change has disrupted traditional water sources. The Ice Stupa innovation offers a low-cost, sustainable solution, showcasing human adaptability in the face of environmental challenges. #Pakistan#Ice Stupas#Pakistan life#Gilgit-Baltistan#Pakistan gide