Glacier growing

Artificial glaciers are used in northwestern Pakistan as a water reservoir. The technology uses a system of pipes and dams and was developed in 1987 by chewang Norphel, a former engineer, during his collaboration on the Leh Nutrition Project Ladakh. For the development of this method was Norphel the magazine Far Eastern Economic Review and 2007, awarded in 1999 with the Asian Innovation Award Silver Award of Harmony for Silvers Foundation.

Background

The mountain people in the border area of Pakistan to China are as many residents of high mountains facing the problem that takes place in the mountains of precipitation in the heights, while the valleys remain dry. In winter the temperature drops below -30 ° C and the annual rainfall is about 50 mm. In spring and summer - so the sowing time of wheat, oats and peas - is hardly rains and the valleys are then supplied solely by the melt water from the higher elevations. For several years, however, dwindling glaciers and the fear of the mountaineers before a drought intensified.

Is there not a reservoir from which the melt water can be fed, the valleys remain dry and agriculture suffers. Glaciers could thus form an important element of a successful local agriculture if they were more accessible and usable. Norphel, who had long worked as an engineer in the border area in the irrigation industry and canals and water reservoirs built, came up with the idea to save the resulting annual melt water in the form of ice. His work was recorded in a documentary film by Syed Fayaz Rizvi, entitled A Degree of Concern, which was shown in 2006 in New Delhi at the World Environment Day.

Creating an artificial glacier

First, small stone dams are piled up on the north side of the irrigated valley in about 4500 m height above the villages. Bach or melt water is then passed through channels or pipes there and collects in shallow ponds where the water freezes. After several weeks of repeated Aufleitens of water on the body of ice already formed a long, narrow body of ice has formed. , The term " artificial glaciers " is, however, according to the statement of local geologists not be used because it 's more of a mass of ice that not has the properties of a glacier.

The largest to generate a " glacier " provides irrigation for the town Phuktsey (700 inhabitants), it is about 300 m long, 50 m wide and has a thickness of about 1.2 m. So far, seven of these irrigation systems were built, the implementation of such a project will cost about $ 7,000.

Assessment

The scientific assessment of the artificial glaciers is still pending (as of 2008 ), as they are researched only recently. But recognizing the benefits that brings the community such a project as a unifying element. The locals are convinced of its glaciers, as well as some non-governmental organizations, such as the Aga Khan Development Network with the " Aga Khan Rural Support Programme ". You give money to spread the technique of glacier application and create new glacier. Since 2006, however, problems with financing of other projects have shown, not least because of the remoteness of the pilot projects, and some of the already -built systems are already disintegrate again through mismanagement.

Reports of other methods

According to a New Scientist report, the method is already much older and was developed by the inhabitants of the mountain regions themselves. According to the report, the technique should be applied at least since 1812, but only since around 1920, written evidence existed by David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer.

The success of an artificial glacier therefore depends primarily on the choice of a proper location. Such a location should be 4000-5000 m altitude. A slightly sloping surface northwesterly direction, surrounded with many stones of about 25 cm in diameter and by steep rock walls, has plenty of shade. Taking too large or too small stones of the wind can not properly circulate in order to deposit additional moisture. It may be there now form " male ice " between the rocks. For example, should not be enough suitable stones, they must be brought in.

The glaciers Bauer distinguish two kinds of glacial ice: the "male" and " female ". A glacier must include both varieties.

• " Boys Ice ' has numerous impurities by stones and earth. There is little or no moves.
• " Female Ice" has few impurities and appeared to be white. It moves fast.

Note: There are differences in the definition of " male " and " female " ice. So the male than the white ice is also defined without impurities. It is important that both types are present.

The " male ice " is covered with a layer of " female ice ". These need to be brought in from the surrounding area several kilograms of white ice. The ice is now piled up loosely. As the binder containers are placed with water between the ice blocks. They break up when frozen and then connect the chunks. Subsequently, the entire assembly is insulated to prevent premature melting. This is usually a layer of charcoal, rags, etc. is placed on the ice.

The work now created about four winter must be left untouched, so gather stones of the surrounding mountains and especially snow and ice on the artificial glacier. The mass should be large enough to slowly slide down the slope due to its own weight. The selected slope is crucial. Such a glacier can be several hundred meters long.