Sonam Wangchuk, a well-known climate activist from Ladakh, has raised serious concerns about the future of India's sacred rivers. In an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he warned that the next Maha Kumbh, which occurs once every 144 years, might take place on dry sand instead of flowing rivers. His concern stems from the rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers, which feed India's major rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, and Indus. Wangchuk urged the Indian government to take immediate action to protect these glaciers, as their depletion could turn India's sacred rivers into seasonal water bodies.
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Wangchuk has long been an advocate for environmental conservation. In his letter, he acknowledged the efforts of the Modi government in various green initiatives but stressed that more needs to be done to save the Himalayan glaciers. He proposed the formation of a dedicated commission to assess the current state of these glaciers and develop strategies for their preservation. According to him, the lack of awareness among people about glacier depletion is a major issue. He also requested a personal meeting with the Prime Minister, along with a group of community members from Ladakh, to present a symbolic block of ice from a rapidly melting glacier.
The United Nations has declared 2025 as the "International Year of Glaciers' Preservation," highlighting the global significance of this issue. As the current Maha Kumbh concludes at Prayagraj’s Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati meet, Wangchuk’s warning serves as a stark reminder that without intervention, these rivers may one day disappear.
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