DEHRADUN: Climate change is believed to be affecting one of Uttarakhand’s premier trekking spots, Roopkund Lake, located at 16,500 feet near Mt. Trishul in the Garhwal Himalayas. Known as the “lake of skeletons,” this glacial lake is home to hundreds of human skeletons, some still with preserved flesh, which become visible as the snow melts.
The lake drew international attention in 1942 when forest official HK Madhwal discovered bones in its frozen waters. Since then, numerous theories have emerged about the skeletons’ origins. A 2019 study by researchers from India, the US, and Germany challenged the widely held belief that the bones belonged to a single group that perished in one event, suggesting instead that the individuals were genetically diverse, with deaths occurring over a span of 1,000 years.
Now, forest officials, who have monitored the area for over 20 years, are increasingly concerned about the lake, which covers about two acres and has a depth of around 9 feet, as it continues to shrink. Sarvesh Dubey, Divisional Forest Officer of the Badrinath division, noted, “The lake is decreasing in width and depth by approximately 0.1% to 0.5% each year. Traditionally, the area around Roopkund experienced snow flurries during rainfall, but now we see more rain, causing loose moraine to slide into the lake. This change in precipitation patterns is likely linked to climate change and global warming, disrupting the region’s natural balance.”
Dubey also mentioned that they are consulting experts from the Forest Research Institute and Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) for solutions, especially following a year of excessive rainfall leading to increased silting.
Glaciologists attribute these shifting precipitation patterns to climate change as well. Manish Mehta, a senior glaciologist at WIHG, explained, “According to our 2013 glacier inventory, there are around 1,200 lakes in the region, classified as either pro-glacial or peri-glacial. Roopkund is a peri-glacial lake. Due to climate variations, the Himalayas are experiencing both decreases and increases in snow precipitation. In this case, reduced precipitation has led to unconsolidated moraine material flowing into the lake, decreasing both its volume and area.”
Scientists warn that this phenomenon could result in the greening of high-altitude areas and increased temperatures in the region.
