Yala Glacier Declared ‘Dead’ in Nepal:
The Yala Glacier in Nepal, once a crucial site for glaciological training and cryosphere research in the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH), has now been officially declared “dead” — marking a significant and symbolic loss in the global climate crisis. On May 12, 2025, scientists, local communities, and monks gathered in Langtang, Nepal, to hold a poignant memorial for the glacier, which has retreated dramatically over recent decades. This event highlights the severe impact of global warming on Himalayan glaciers, with profound consequences for water security and ecological stability across South Asia.The Yala Glacier, located in Langtang, Nepal, has lost 66% of its mass and retreated 784 meters since the 1970s.A plaque was installed with messages by authors Andri Snaer Magnason and Manjushree Thapa in English, Nepali, and Tibetan. The glacier funeral was attended by over 50 people, including monks, scientists, and locals from Nepal, India, China, and Bhutan.
