The ice stoop project is associated with the technique of manufacturing artificial glaciers.
Ladakh social activist Sonam Wangchuk is in discussion. His agitation started to violence to seek Ladakh’s full state status and inclusion of the sixth schedule. The Ministry of Home Affairs blamed him for the violence in Leh but Wangchuk has dismissed the allegations. After this, the license for foreign funding of his NGO has been canceled.
Sonam Wangchuk’s identity remains as a social reformer and remains an environmentalist and an engineer to change. Which also came into the limelight when he introduced the ice stupa project. It was discussed in many countries.
What is the ice stupa project?
The ice stupa project is about the technique of manufacturing artificial glacier. Its purpose is to erupt the water flowing in cold weather in such a way that it continues to grow as a stupa and melt it slowly in summer so that farmers can get water for farming. The initial sample of this was prepared in the year 2013.
Sonam Wangchuk believed that this is a new kind of project and there is no harm to the environment. Its objective is to provide water in times of needs in the areas that struggle with cold and water scarcity like Ladakh.
The size of the stupa has been chosen for this because it surrounds less space and snow is more freezing.
How does the project remove water shortage?
The source of water at the height is first chosen to create an ice stupa. It is brought below through a pipeline to the place where the stupa is to be made. The pipe is prepared in such a way that the effect of gravity causes pressure in the water. This pressure drains the water from the end of the pipe as a fountain. When this water disintegrates in the form of drops of fountains in cold air, the temperature accumulates in the air due to very low. In this way, the shape of an ice stupa begins to form below.
Why the size of the stupa is only?
According to the project, the size of the stupa has been chosen for this because it surrounds the less space. Snow is more freezing. The melting is less when it is sunny. In this way the stupa works to preserve water at the beginning of summer.As soon as the summer begins, the stupa gradually melts. This water is used in other works including irrigation of the fields. Especially in the months of April and May.
It has been claimed that usually the water flowing in centuries flows away but can be preserved through this project. At the beginning of summer, when there is a shortage of water and the natural sources dry, the crops can be given water by using it.
How many challenges?
Many reports claim that plastic pipes used in this process can damage the environment. It is not easy to control the process of snow freezing and melting. In winter, the high temperature falls can freeze the pipes and the stupa can melt quickly in summer or sun.To control it, it was considered necessary that the stupa should be made at sufficient height where it is safe in low temperature and the effect of sunlight is reduced.
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