Chewang Norphel Soman Wangchuk of the company Ice Stupa is building artificial glaciers in rural India to ensure the community has a continuous supply of fresh water, even during summer drought. The supply for these man-made glaciers come from Himalayan ice, which, after breaking apart, will wastefully melt into streams and rivers. Instead, this ice is collected and stored to be used as a fresh source of water. The ice mountains can be constructed by local people, and only require an underground pipeline to reroute the water after its installation.
These artificial glaciers are providing relief for rural communities, sustaining villages "long into summer when real glaciers begin to melt." The artificial glacier is indicative of the need for innovation to be combative of a changing climate.
Rural Man-Made Glaciers
These Artificial Glaciers are Supplying Water to Rural India
Trend Themes
1. Artificial Glaciers - Creating man-made glaciers to provide a continuous source of fresh water in rural areas.
2. Water Storage Innovation - Finding innovative ways to store and conserve water for future use.
3. Community-led Solutions - Empowering local communities to build and maintain their own water supply systems.
Industry Implications
1. Water Management - Developing technologies and strategies for efficient water management and conservation.
2. Climate Change Adaptation - Creating solutions to help communities adapt to the effects of climate change, such as water scarcity.
3. Community Development - Supporting initiatives that empower rural communities to meet their own needs and improve their quality of life.