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Thu, 18 Jun 2026

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 The artificial ice pyramids saving India's mountain villages

Himalayan villages are creating artificial glaciers to guarantee water for their crops in the spring.
A Himalayan village at an altitude of nearly 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) struggles with harsh climate and water scarcity due to global warming. Long-time farmer Gelak Gutme has seen conditions worsen over his lifetime, with smaller glaciers vanishing and leaving no stored water for spring planting. In the past decade, villages attempted to create their own reservoirs of ice through a system called "ice stupas", but it was challenging to manage. A new automated system, called an Automated Ice Reservoir (AIR), has been developed in partnership with private company Acres of Ice. This system precisely controls ice production by piping water from higher altitudes and spraying it into the air to form large towers of ice. Unlike traditional systems, AIR can be controlled remotely and is more efficient at creating ice. The new system has made a significant difference to village life, recharging groundwater sources and reviving spring sources. Villagers report receiving water on time, and scientists are planning a study to assess the impact of AIR. The goal now is to multiply the number of ice reservoirs built using the same technology. Farmer Gutme is optimistic about the future, saying that having a reliable water source has made it possible for him to continue farming. He hopes to see more AIR systems installed in his village and believes it will prevent younger people from leaving to work in cities due to lack of opportunities.