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Resilience in the cold: How Artificial Glaciers influence social resilience in Ladakh

Chikatmarla, Archana LU (2025) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20252
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
Glacier retreat driven by climate change has created intense water scarcity in Ladakh, India, threatening both the local agriculture and livelihoods. In response, Artificial Glaciers (AGs) have emerged as an adaptive strategy. This study examines the role of AGs in enhancing social resilience in the villages of Ursi and Igoo using the Six Attributes of Social Resilience framework. A mixed-methods approach, combining household surveys and semi-structured interviews, was employed to assess knowledge systems, people-place connections, governance, infrastructure, and community networks. Key findings indicate that AGs have significantly improved water availability and agricultural productivity in Ursi, while the impact in Igoo is more mixed.... (More)
Glacier retreat driven by climate change has created intense water scarcity in Ladakh, India, threatening both the local agriculture and livelihoods. In response, Artificial Glaciers (AGs) have emerged as an adaptive strategy. This study examines the role of AGs in enhancing social resilience in the villages of Ursi and Igoo using the Six Attributes of Social Resilience framework. A mixed-methods approach, combining household surveys and semi-structured interviews, was employed to assess knowledge systems, people-place connections, governance, infrastructure, and community networks. Key findings indicate that AGs have significantly improved water availability and agricultural productivity in Ursi, while the impact in Igoo is more mixed. Furthermore, their impact on social cohesion and people-place connections differs between the two villages. Disparities in knowledge, infrastructure, and economic diversification persist. The study concludes that while AGs are a promising strategy, more targeted training, improved governance, and broader economic integration are needed to improve social resilience. These insights are important for future climate adaptation strategies in vulnerable, water-scarce mountain regions. (Less)
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author
Chikatmarla, Archana LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20252
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
social resilience, glacial retreat, water scarcity, Ladakh, artificial glaciers, six attributes of social resilience, sustainability science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2025:052
language
English
id
9214111
date added to LUP
2025-10-17 17:08:56
date last changed
2025-10-17 17:08:56
@misc{9214111,
  abstract     = {{Glacier retreat driven by climate change has created intense water scarcity in Ladakh, India, threatening both the local agriculture and livelihoods. In response, Artificial Glaciers (AGs) have emerged as an adaptive strategy. This study examines the role of AGs in enhancing social resilience in the villages of Ursi and Igoo using the Six Attributes of Social Resilience framework. A mixed-methods approach, combining household surveys and semi-structured interviews, was employed to assess knowledge systems, people-place connections, governance, infrastructure, and community networks. Key findings indicate that AGs have significantly improved water availability and agricultural productivity in Ursi, while the impact in Igoo is more mixed. Furthermore, their impact on social cohesion and people-place connections differs between the two villages. Disparities in knowledge, infrastructure, and economic diversification persist. The study concludes that while AGs are a promising strategy, more targeted training, improved governance, and broader economic integration are needed to improve social resilience. These insights are important for future climate adaptation strategies in vulnerable, water-scarce mountain regions.}},
  author       = {{Chikatmarla, Archana}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Resilience in the cold: How Artificial Glaciers influence social resilience in Ladakh}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}