Panchkund Lake Faces Climate Change Threats Despite Expansion
Summary
Panchkund Lake in Myagdi has expanded sharply in recent years, raising concerns about climate change, glacial melt and possible disaster risks. Local officials and experts are calling for detailed studies as the lake becomes a growing tourist destination on the Maurice Herzog trail.
Key Points
- Panchkund Lake in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 has grown from a cluster of five ponds into a larger glacial lake, according to local accounts and ICIMOD data.
- Experts and officials say rising temperatures and changing snowfall patterns in the Himalayas are accelerating glacial melt and increasing the risk of floods and landslides.
- Locals say the lake’s risk status has not yet been studied in detail, and the provincial and federal authorities may be asked to conduct research.
- The Gandaki Province government plans a climate dialogue program in the Kali Gandaki basin to highlight the impact of climate change on the Himalayan region.
