Nepal's Yala Glacier, a vital cryospheric landmark in the Langtang Valley, has been officially declared "dead" due to accelerated melting driven by climate change. This marks the first such recognition in Nepal and the third globally, following similar ceremonies for Iceland’s OK Glacier and Mexico’s Ayoloco Glacier. 

Key Points:

Accelerated Retreat: Since the 1970s, Yala Glacier has shrunk by 66% and retreated nearly 784 meters, with projections indicating it may vanish entirely by the 2040s. 
Memorial Ceremony: On May 12, 2025, over 50 participants—including Buddhist monks, local residents, and glaciologists from Nepal, India, Bhutan, and China—gathered at the glacier's site for a tribute ceremony. The event featured Buddhist rituals and the unveiling of two granite memorial plaques inscribed with messages by authors Andri Snær Magnason and Manjushree Thapa. 

Scientific Significance: Yala Glacier was among the few glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region to be monitored annually for over a decade, providing critical data on glacial dynamics and climate change impacts. 

Global Context: The glacier's demise underscores the broader issue of glacial retreat in the Hindu Kush Himalaya, a region home to approximately 54,000 glaciers, many of which are experiencing rapid melting due to rising temperatures. 

Cultural and Environmental Impact: The loss of Yala Glacier represents not only a physical change in the landscape but also a cultural and ecological shift, affecting local communities that have depended on its meltwater for generations. 

Implications: Climate Change Awareness: The tribute to Yala Glacier serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its impacts on vulnerable ecosystems and communities.

Research and Monitoring: The loss of Yala highlights the necessity for continued glacial monitoring and research to understand and mitigate the effects of climate change in the region.

Policy and Action: This event calls for strengthened policies and international cooperation to protect remaining glaciers and address the root causes of global warming.