New Delhi, Jan 11 (NationPress) The National Green Tribunal has included the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as an additional respondent in a suo motu case regarding the swift growth of Himalayan glacial lakes and the escalating dangers they present to lives and infrastructure downstream.

A bench led by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava was reviewing two related original applications registered suo motu (on its own accord) following media reports about the increasing number of glacial lakes in Himachal Pradesh and Tibet, as well as a 10.81 percent growth in Himalayan glacial lakes over the last 13 years.

During the proceedings, counsel representing the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti argued that the NDMA is a crucial participant in the matter, emphasizing that the authority's actions and responsibilities regarding these risks were previously mentioned in a response filed by one of the parties.

Accepting this argument, the bench, which also includes Expert Member Dr A. Senthil Vel, declared: “We include NDMA as an additional respondent,” mandating it to submit a reply affidavit along with the measures implemented to date and recommendations for addressing the threats posed by glacial lakes nationwide.

The green tribunal instructed its registry to notify the NDMA and scheduled the next hearing for April 10.

This suo motu case stems from reports concerning climate change-driven glacier retreat, which has resulted in the formation and rapid growth of glacial lakes throughout the Himalayan region, significantly elevating the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).

Such events can trigger sudden and devastating flooding, endangering downstream communities, roadways, hydropower projects, and other essential infrastructure.

Previously, the NGT noted that a study conducted by the Central Water Commission (CWC) indicated a 10.81 percent increase in the surface area of Himalayan glacial lakes from 2011 to 2024, with India experiencing an even more pronounced rise of approximately 33.7 percent during the same timeframe.

The NGT observed that several lakes had seen size increases exceeding 40 percent, categorizing them as high-risk for potential GLOF events, especially in regions such as Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The tribunal underscored the urgent need for enhanced monitoring, early warning systems, and improved flood management strategies.

In a subsequent session, the green tribunal broadened the scope of the case by involving multiple expert organizations, including the National Institute of Hydrology and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, and reviewed data presented by the CWC regarding trend analysis, risk indexing, and downstream vulnerabilities related to glacial lakes.