“We are skating on the frontlines of climate change”

The poignant observation by Tsewang Chuskit, captain of India's National women's ice hockey team, that they are "skating on the frontlines of climate change," serves as a stark reminder of the immediate and far-reaching consequences of global warming. Her concerns regarding rapid ice loss, affecting both her sport and the wider environment, bring to the fore the critical issue of Himalayan glacier melt, a phenomenon with profound implications for India.

**Background Context:** India, a country of diverse geography, hosts a significant portion of the Himalayas, often referred to as the 'Third Pole' due to its vast ice reserves. These glaciers are the source of major perennial rivers like the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra, which sustain billions of lives in the subcontinent. Ice hockey, though a niche sport in India, has found a strong foothold in high-altitude regions like Ladakh, where natural ice rinks are historically abundant. For athletes like Chuskit, the availability of natural ice is fundamental to their training and competitive opportunities. However, scientific reports, including those from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), have consistently highlighted the accelerated rate of glacial retreat in the Himalayas due to rising global temperatures. This isn't merely an abstract environmental concern; it directly impacts daily life, livelihoods, and even cultural practices in these regions.

**What Happened:** Chuskit's statement underscores a direct, tangible impact of climate change. The diminishing ice cover means shorter seasons for ice hockey, poorer quality natural rinks, and increased reliance on artificial ice, which is often expensive and energy-intensive. Beyond the rink, the melting glaciers translate into erratic water availability for communities. Initially, increased meltwater might lead to floods, but in the long term, it portends severe water scarcity as these 'water towers of Asia' dwindle. This jeopardizes agriculture, hydropower generation, and drinking water supply, impacting millions downstream.

**Key Stakeholders Involved:** Several stakeholders are deeply invested in this issue. **Athletes and Sports Bodies** like the Ice Hockey Association of India are directly affected by the loss of natural training grounds, impacting the sport's development. **Local Communities** in Ladakh and other Himalayan regions are perhaps the most vulnerable, facing immediate threats to their water security, agriculture, and traditional ways of life. The **Indian Government**, particularly the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), NITI Aayog, and the Union Territory administration of Ladakh, bears the responsibility for policy formulation, climate adaptation, and disaster management. **Scientific Institutions** such as the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are crucial for monitoring glacial health and providing data for informed policy. **International Organizations** and **Environmental NGOs** also play a role in advocating for climate action and supporting local adaptation efforts.

**Significance for India:** The melting Himalayas hold immense significance for India's environmental, economic, and social fabric. **Environmental security** is paramount, as the glaciers are vital for the water security of over 1.5 billion people. Their rapid retreat could lead to severe water crises, impacting food security and increasing the risk of natural disasters like glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). **Economically**, sectors like agriculture, hydropower, and tourism, which are major contributors to India's GDP, are highly dependent on the Himalayan ecosystem. Diminishing water resources and increased climate variability could severely disrupt these sectors. **Socially**, indigenous communities face displacement, loss of cultural heritage, and health challenges. Furthermore, the issue has **strategic implications**, as shared water resources can become a point of contention with neighbouring countries.

**Constitutional Provisions and Policies:** India's commitment to environmental protection is enshrined in its Constitution. **Article 48A** of the Directive Principles of State Policy mandates that "The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country." Similarly, **Article 51A(g)** lists it as a fundamental duty of every citizen "to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures." These articles provide the constitutional bedrock for environmental legislation like the **Environmental Protection Act, 1986**. In response to climate change, India launched the **National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in 2008**, which includes eight national missions. Crucially, the **National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE)** specifically focuses on understanding and adapting to the impacts of climate change in the Himalayas, emphasizing scientific research, community participation, and policy measures. India's **Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs)** under the Paris Agreement (2015) further demonstrate its commitment to combating climate change globally, aiming to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030 from 2005 level and achieve about 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.

**Future Implications:** The future holds significant challenges if current trends persist. India could face increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, exacerbated water scarcity, and further threats to biodiversity. This necessitates robust adaptation strategies, including water resource management, early warning systems for GLOFs, and climate-resilient agriculture. Furthermore, India's role in global climate negotiations will become even more critical, advocating for equitable burden-sharing and technology transfer. The story of Tsewang Chuskit is not just about a sport; it's a microcosm of the larger, urgent climate challenge facing India and the world, demanding immediate and sustained action at all levels of governance and society.