Third Pole glaciers sustain 1.3 billion people and feed ten Asia\u2019s largest rivers.
\nJAVED KHAN
\nPESHAWAR
\nThe United Nations\u2019 World Water Development Report 2025 has raised alarm over the rapid melting of glaciers in the Third Pole, one of the world\u2019s most significant water sources. Scientists warn that the accelerating glacial retreat poses a serious threat to food, water, energy, and livelihood security for nearly two billion people across Asia.
\nThe Third Pole, which stretches across Central, Northeast, South, and Southeast Asia, contains more ice and snow than any region outside the Arctic and Antarctic. It serves as the primary source of over ten major river systems, sustaining millions of people, particularly in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region.
\nThe Hindu Kush mountain system, spanning approximately 800 kilometers in length and 240 kilometers in width, plays a critical role in regulating water supplies across the region.
\nAccording to GRID-Arendal, a Norway-based environmental organization, the Hindu Kush Himalaya\u2014stretching over 3,500 kilometers and spanning eight countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, Myanmar, and Pakistan, forms the world\u2019s most vital water tower.
\n\u201cIt feeds ten of Asia\u2019s largest rivers and provides water for drinking, irrigation, energy, industry, and sanitation for 1.3 billion people living both in the mountains and downstream, \u201caccording to the organization.
\nHowever, the UN report highlights that rising temperatures, environmental degradation, and human activities are intensifying the crisis.
\nPollutants such as black carbon, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants are accelerating glacier melt and deteriorating water quality. If this trend continues, experts warn of increased droughts, declining water flows, and severe disruptions to agriculture and energy production in the region.
\nTo mitigate these threats, climate experts emphasize the urgent need for adaptation measures, including integrated water resource management (IWRM) and collaborative regional policies. Strengthening transboundary cooperation, raising public awareness, and advancing climate resilience strategies are essential in addressing the growing water crisis.
\nEnvironmental advocates stress the need for immediate policy interventions and stronger regional dialogue to tackle climate change, pollution, and environmental degradation. Without urgent action, the continued melting of the Third Pole could have devastating humanitarian and ecological consequences across Asia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Third Pole glaciers sustain 1.3 billion people and feed ten Asia\u2019s largest rivers. JAVED KHAN PESHAWAR The United Nations\u2019 World Water Development Report 2025 has raised alarm over the rapid melting of glaciers in the Third Pole, one of the world\u2019s most significant water sources. Scientists warn that the accelerating glacial retreat poses a serious […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-468588","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n