Eco Factor: Engineer builds new glaciers from melt-water.
We often read that the rise in pollution that enhances global warming is having a catastrophic impact on glaciers, which are quickly melting away. A retired engineer is waging his own one-man battle to save the world by discovering a way to create new glaciers.
Chewang Norphel, 76, has already proved his technology by building 12 new glaciers and is trying to build five more before he dies. Chewang is also training new people to continue his work and save the world’s glaciers from being transformed into rivers.
The engineer, popularly known as the “Iceman of Ladakh,” diverts melt-water through a network of pipes into artificial lakes in the shaded side of mountain valleys, where they are kept frozen in the absence of direct sunlight. These artificial glaciers remain frozen until March.
Till date Chewang has succeeded in storing up to one million cubic feet of ice, which can be used to irrigate 200 hectares of farmland. The Indian government has also allotted £16,000 to allow Chewang to build five more glaciers.
Image Courtesy: Wikipedia
Via: Telegraph
