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Environmental management of world’s highest and biggest junkyard
SIACHEN is a glacier, 76km by 32km, strategically located near the junction of Pakistani, Chinese and Indian frontiers. It acts as a ridge which is a dividing line between Indian Ladakh and Northern Areas under Pakistan. This uninhabited region was an undecided border territory between India and Pakistan being inaccessible due to extremely harsh climate. The current dispute started in April 1984, when the Indian troops launched Operation Meghdoot, after which both the parties have been engaged in a fierce territorial dispute.
Now the highest battlefield in the world, Siachen glacier has witnessed the conflict between India and Pakistan for more than two decades. A never ceasing conflict has resulted in hundreds of casualties, caused by the harsh terrain and adverse climatic conditions rather than bullets or shells. The dispute becomes even more important in the backdrop of nuclear capabilities possessed by both sides. The continuous war on the glacier has lead to an environmental disaster on the pristine ecology of the glacier once uninhibited but now occupied by thousands of soldiers on both sides.
With the occupation of armed forces on both sides of this uninhabited glacier, now it is the world’s “highest and biggest junkyard.” To cater to the need of such large number of troops, about 6000 tons of cargo is flown into the Siachen Glacier every year and an equal amount is para-dropped, which is an environmental havoc for the delicate ecology of the glacier. Except soldiers, virtually nothing returns from the glacier that makes the problem even worse. The progressively increasing junk is polluting the pristine environment of the glacier at a steady rate. In the presence of a bacteria free environment, bio-degradation is not possible which will necessitate the cleaning up of all the junk from the glacier. The pollution is affecting all the vital aspects of glacier ecology.
In this article, firstly I will provide an overview of the environmental damages caused by this conflict and then an attempt would be made to discuss the options available to India and Pakistan to resolve the environmental agony of the glacier. We will analyze some workable solutions to re-establish the glacier ecology and also provide some suggestions for the environmental management of Siachen Glacier.
Some of the major environmental damages being caused by the stockpiling of the junk on Siachen are:
Plastic and metals are the most hazardous of the solid wastes being littered at Siachen which comprise of about 40 per cent of the waste. The garbage mainly consists of plastic, remains of crashed helicopters, discarded vehicles, worn out gun barrels, splinters from gun shelling, empty fuel barrels, burnt shelters, rotten vegetables, expired tinned meat, ration items. Of the metallic and plastic waste being dumped into the glacier, the lead-based metallic shells, projectiles of ammunition and the carry bags of polythene are the most dangerous. Accumulation of plastic and metals generates the process of toxification. The toxification begins the moment metals and plastic come in contact with water. The oozing out of the toxic substances by these materials is a continuous phenomenon. It continues even at the extreme sub-zero temperatures when the metal and plastic lie frozen in the glacial ice, a process that is called leaching.
The toxins so generated are released into rivers as “step input” as and when the glacier melts. Elements, such as cobalt, cadmium, chromium, etc, have been confirmed in these toxins.
These toxic substances when released into water adversely affect aquatic life also and have resulted in a drastic reduction in “Fish Index” (FI) of rivers in the region.
Air pollution: Harmful gases from burning propellant are released when the weapons are fired. In plains these cause no damage since they get immediately diffused. But at the glacial peaks, where the oxygen content is at its lowest, they prove to be poisonous. There have been instances when the soldiers firing weapons from their bunkers have fainted due to the emissions; some even died later.
Ammunition is another poisonous pollutant. It consists of propellants and high explosive constituents that have poisonous chemical composition. Emissions from the increased vehicular traffic have also caused a rise in the pollution level of the region.
Noise pollution: The booming guns send tremors, affecting the delicate seismic balance of the region. In addition, excessive activities by low flying heavy-duty helicopters for para-dropping at the posts disturb the seismic balance of the region.
Wildlife extinction: The native wildlife has been adversely affected by the conflict. Snow leopard, ibex, etc have been natives of this region. A decade ago, the snow leopard was often spotted here. Now that their habitat has encroached upon by human beings, these wild animals have shifted and are never sighted near any of the posts along the glacier.
Human health loss: Deaths due to inclement weather dominate the fatality rate here. On an average, three soldiers die every week from the Indian side. Soldiers die less due to cross-border firing and more because of ailments resulting from the extremely high altitudes. Blindness, insanity and amputations are common.
According to studies, the physical performance at the altitude of 4500 metres reduces by 40 per cent. The Army tends to acclimatize the troops before induction into such hazardous areas. But according to a medical study, beyond 5330 metres acclimatization becomes ineffective and the heart does not perform efficiently.
Policy alternatives: Despite having extended history of talks regarding the future of Siachen, environmental damages have never been a part of the agenda. So far, comprehensive baseline study or environmental impact assessment of the region has not been carried out by India as well as Pakistan. For that matter no credible figures on degradation of air, water, flora and fauna are available.
To seek an environmental solution, we assume that both governments realize the substantial environmental hazards existing in the region, which need to be addressed. In that situation we will explore as to what policy options, alternatives and mechanisms we have to clean-up the Siachen glacier and restore its ecology.
Policy alternatives are offered here with the presumption that India and Pakistan agree on the ecological restoration of Siachen glacier considering it as an absolute ecological necessity regardless of the current and future political outcome of the issue between the two countries.
Under that situation we will discuss all the possible options along with their modalities. We present four broad scenarios and the probable set of modalities that can be exercised within that setup to carry out the political and ecological management of the glacier. These possible scenarios are:
Restoration under active conflict: If two sides are engaged in almost active warfare where exchange of fire is a daily ritual, both the governments have to be persuaded that the environmental hazard cropping out of this conflict requires a cleanup operation and the cost of such operation will be part of their military budget and operations. Both the armies may undertake special operations to carry out the cleaning process within their respective areas. Engineering corps on both sides can be utilized in the high altitude cleanup process.
Attention of international environmental agencies and NGOs can be drawn to provide technical knowledge and support to the respective armies. This process could at least decrease the rate of pollution on the glacier by partially reducing the input of pollutants in the glacier. Some pollution activities may, however, continue at the same rate, such as air and noise pollution. Both the countries may maintain the inventory of the material brought into and taken away from the glacier to keep a record for the current clean-up and future operations.
The proposal of restoration of glacier under an active conflict is, however, an extremely risky business in terms of human lives as most of the international organizations and interest groups would be reluctant to take risks in a warlike situation. Needless to say, the cost of such cleanup operation coupled with additional security measures would also be a deterrent. In such situation, India and Pakistan would prefer not to contemplate such operation.
Restoration under cease fire: If a cease-fire takes place, paving way to military disengagement between India and Pakistan, the situation would allow us to exercise the cleanup operation with relative ease and effectiveness along with greater involvement of International environmental agencies, NGOs, volunteers groups with the possibility of a UN monitored clean-up operation.
Military on both sides, nonetheless, have to play a greater role of coordination between different agencies and provide the security to the workers involved in the cleanup process of the region. It is interesting to note that the armies on both sides have been engaged in high altitude warfare for last 18 years; thus, only they have the appropriate logistics for the transportation of the junk on the glacier. If any international environmental agency agrees to sponsor the clean-up, services of respective army core of engineers can be acquired to assist with their logistics necessary for a cleanup process.
A comprehensive base-line study with environmental impact assessment can also be conducted during this phase with the help of international expertise. The cease-fire may result in saving of expenditure for both sides, some part of which can be allocated for the clean-up of the glacier and each side can clean their respective occupied area.
The cost of cleaning the glacier is likely to be tremendous and cannot be accomplished with out international assistance as well as in integrated clean-up plan. The cost of clean-up for India would be much higher as their side of the Glacier has no road access. The only mode of transportation is air traffic.
Pakistan, fortunately, has land access to the glacier that can be useful for relatively low-priced disposal of junk. Blessing in disguise, the military presence due to cease-fire would be an advantage in the form of logistics and trained manpower for the swift and effective environmental cleaning operation.
— Restoration under complete military withdrawal: If a complete military pull out from the glacier takes place at pre-1984 positions resulting in complete retrieval from Siachen glacier by the armies on both sides, this situation may provide a number of options comprehensively addressing the issue of Glacier management. Some of the options of glacier management are:
a. Condominium styled management: After being earmarked as demilitarized area and zone of peace, it is suggested to establish a condominium which is “a state or a territory jointly owned or ruled or administrated by two (or more) states” and in case of Siachen, can be administered by two senior scientific advisors from both countries. The best-known condominium is Andorra, which, for centuries, has been jointly administered by the president of the French republic and the archbishop of Urgell, who represents Spain.
Another condominium was a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean known as the New Hebrides, which were (by the treaty of October, 1906) co-ruled by the French and the British. The islands remained a condominium till they acceded to independence in 1980.
Very often, the condominium is a temporary status where territorial ownership could not be decided immediately. For instance, the British and Egyptian governments signed a treaty in 1936 to create a condominium in Sudan, until the issue of suzerainty was solved.
Usually, the problem is compounded by the presence of a large population which has to be democratically consulted in the decision-making process. Siachen could be a lot easier. First, and perhaps foremost, the glacier is not populated, so there is no question of the will of the population or a plebiscite.
A condominium is suggested as an interim arrangement till a permanent accord is reached on this issue. During the course of political administration, it would be easy to carry out the cleanup of the area by establishing an international fund in which the main contributors would be India and Pakistan who would clean the regions polluted by their armies. International community can also contribute in the funding as well as provide expertise and volunteers to carry out the ecological restoration of the region. Scientific research and baseline study can also be carried out under this option.
b. Antarctic zone management: Some experts have proposed the idea of Antarctic styled zone managment where the provisions of Antarctic treaty can be applied. Particularly pertinent to the Siachen issue is the precedent of the Antarctic Treaty of 1959. The treaty set aside the entire continent for peaceful scientific use only. Since entry into force in 1961, 39 countries have become signatories to the treaty including the seven states that originally laid claim to portions of the continent.
Under terms of the treaty, all claims are held in abeyance for the term of the treaty and no new territorial claims can be submitted. India is one of the state parties to the treaty having acceded to the treaty on August 19, 1983.
The Pakistanis, although not signatories to the Antarctic treaty, maintain the Jinnah Station in Antarctica through their National Institute of Oceanography. The Antarctic Treaty bans any military activity in the defined area and prohibits nuclear testing. It limits national programs to those of scientific research and ensures the free exchange of information and scientists between countries.
Inspection rights are granted to the facilities and operations of other countries with a presence on the continent. Provisions are made to have an open skies regime, enabling aerial observation at any time over any and all areas of Antarctica by any of the contracting parties that have the right to designate observers.
While not a perfect model for South Asia, there are many features of the Antarctic Treaty that might be considered for application in Siachen. Some of these include demilitarization of the area of concern, dedication of the area to scientific research, establishment of research centre(s) that share information and are open to joint inspection, deferring resolution of territorial claims, and resolving disputes through peaceful means. Glacier cleanup and ecological restoration programmes can be in incorporated into the treaty.
This option is clearly more dependable than the first two as the absence of military in the region will allow the environmentalists to operate freely and carry out the clean-up procedure. This option provides a comprehensive plan for the management of the glacier and allows the establishment of a permanent cleanup system along with scientific research in the region.
Economically speaking, both the countries can save the cost of expensive military expedition and reserve some amount of those allocations for the cleaning and ecological restoration of the glacier. Thus the concept of Antarctic zone management is most viable for both countries as it addresses the issue of demilitarization, joint inspections and deferment of territorial claim, which would address the political aspect of glacier management whereas the provisions of scientific research and knowledge sharing can take care of the environmental concerns. The additional provision could be the execution of a cleanup operation and eco-restoration plan.
4. Restoration under a complete peace accord: In the fourth and last scenario we assume that a comprehensive peace accord has been reached between India and Pakistan, including the settlement of Siachen as well as Kashmir issue, armies have receded back to their bunkers and peace as well as confidence on both sides has been restored. This situation gives us the maximum possible options. Greater peace brings larger benefits to the glacier and broadens the possibility of cooperation on cleanup, restoration, scientific research and many more endeavors. Long-term plans for the glacial restoration can be introduced with international cooperation; scientific centers can be established in the glacier. Besides opening the area for scientific research to the international community, a number of other plans can be carried out which are as:
a. Introduction of a comprehensive long term eco-restoration plans by India and Pakistan to re-establish the pristine ecosystem of the Siachen glacier, to bring back the wild life of the region and restore flora, fauna and other natural features.
b. Introduction of individual, joint and international mountaineering expeditions by Pakistan and India to promote adventure sports as well as introduce the region in the world for its unique features (as it is called the third pole).
c. Introduction of eco-tourism in the area, which will open up the area for domestic and international communities and provide a chance to learn more about the glacier and its ecology. It will also bring financial benefits to both the countries.
This would invariably be the best option providing endless possibilities for the eco-restoration, scientific research and mutual cooperation at all the possible domestic and international level for Siachen glacier.
In the backdrop of peace initiative and improvement in Indo-Pakistan relations, this would be an ideal chance to adopt a viable solution for Glacier restoration and management. The charm of an environmental accord on Siachen glacier is that it may always fall short of a political concession for both parties; therefore, a consensus on any ecological agreement between two parties stands better chances than a military accord as it can be views as an accord on a supreme cause of global environmental betterment. It can prove to be first step towards a comprehensive achievement of peace, confidence and cooperation between India and Pakistan. The greater the level of peace and confidence achieved by parties, the better commitment and service can be provided to the environmental improvement of the region.
The writer is assistant chief of the Planning and Development Department, Government of Sindh
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