The serene landscapes of Ladakh recently witnessed the grand inauguration of the 7th Ice Stupa Festival at Oama Chorten. This year’s event was marked by the presentation of India’s first-ever automated ice stupa, a revolutionary creation made by freezing 2.5 million liters of water. Traditionally, ice stupas are manually constructed, often requiring individuals to work tirelessly through freezing nights. However, the automated version operates with the help of a sophisticated digital machine that sprays water into the air, forming the stupa naturally without the need for constant human effort.
The festival featured the construction of 25 artificial glaciers, highlighting the urgency of glacier preservation. This initiative aligns with the United Nations’ declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation, aiming to raise awareness about the impact of climate change on glaciers.
The automated ice stupa was developed by the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL) and is powered by solar energy. It leverages the cold night temperatures to freeze water, showcasing a sustainable and innovative approach to water conservation in arid mountainous regions.
One of the key figures at the event was Chewang Norphel, popularly known as the Ice Man of India, who has long been an advocate for artificial glacier technology to combat water scarcity in Ladakh.
This pioneering technological advancement is expected to address water scarcity issues and promote sustainable environmental practices in high-altitude regions. With such innovations, Ladakh continues to inspire the world in its efforts to mitigate climate change and preserve natural resources.