Tajikistan urged to adopt artificial glaciers as climate crisis melts real ones

Ice towers offer low-cost, climate-resilient water storage as Tajikistan loses 20% of its glacier volume

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan (MNTV) — As Central Asia faces accelerating glacier loss due to global warming, experts are calling on Tajikistan to adopt a proven low-tech solution: artificial ice towers, or “ice stupas,” which have shown success in neighboring Kyrgyzstan.

The innovation was spotlighted during the recent International High-Level Conference on Glacier Preservation in Dushanbe, where over 2,500 delegates from 80 countries gathered to address the region’s water crisis. 

According to Asia Plus, participants emphasized the urgency of sustainable water alternatives as natural glaciers recede.

Ice stupas function as seasonal water reservoirs. Built by spraying water into sub-zero air, they form towering cones of ice that store water through winter and gradually release it in summer—ensuring a steady supply for remote mountain communities. 

Each cone, up to 50 meters high, can store around 50,000 cubic meters of water and costs just $3,000 to $4,000 to construct.

Kyrgyzstan has emerged as a regional pioneer in the technology. Since building its first ice tower in 2022 with support from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the country has installed around 30 structures, storing over 1.5 million cubic meters of ice.

 New projects in the Jalal-Abad, Uzgen, Kochkor, and Aksy districts have demonstrated the model’s success for agricultural use.

In contrast, Tajikistan’s glaciers have shrunk drastically—losing 20% of their volume and 30% of their area in the last 50 years. The UN has warned that Central Asia could lose over half of its glacier coverage by 2050, threatening water access for more than 64 million people, especially in highland areas.

To address this, FAO and Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Water Resources are working to scale the “Glacier – Reservoir – Farmer” system, combining ice towers with small reservoirs and drip irrigation to maximize efficiency and boost farm yields.

The concept is gaining traction as a viable option for Tajikistan. A formal request for implementation guidance has already been submitted, and FAO launched a pilot project in April to expand the initiative.

Experts argue that scaling this approach in Tajikistan could play a key role in climate adaptation—providing affordable, sustainable water storage for agriculture, livestock, and drinking needs, especially in rural areas facing chronic water shortages.

With rising temperatures and vanishing glaciers threatening both ecosystems and economies, artificial glaciers may offer a vital buffer against climate-driven water insecurity in the years ahead.