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Stories From the Mountains

Behind the Scenes

Curious about our work? Discover our journey, see the impact we’ve made, and explore the adventures behind Acres of Ice’s mission.

acresofice

🏔️ Automation of artificial ice reservoirs (AIRs)
💧Water Management | Agritech
📌 Ladakh, India

Over the past few weeks, the Acres of Ice team has

Over the past few weeks, the Acres of Ice team has been training with @amrit_appaden and @who.is.saurabh — building our skills in wilderness first aid, rock safety, and leadership. All hands on! Amrit has also shared valuable techniques for anchoring our systems in challenging terrain.

Working on automated ice reservoirs often takes us deep into remote, high-altitude landscapes. These skills aren’t just useful — they’re essential for keeping our team safe while we navigate the rugged mountains of Ladakh.

#ladakh #outdoors #climbing #rocksafety #safetytraining #fromthefield

Our work here at AOI begins with community engagem

Our work here at AOI begins with community engagement. In the remote, water-stressed villages of Ladakh, conversations with local residents are not just valuable — they are essential. Before any reservoir is built or an irrigation system is installed, we spend time understanding lived experiences of water scarcity, mapping springs, walking the terrain, and listening to the people. Over the last few years, we've surveyed more than 60 villages, but it's community consent first and foremost that determines where we go next.

#ladakh #watermanagement #fieldwork #fromthefield #climateaction #climatesolutions

[Water Management, Ladakh, Hindu Kush Himalayas, Climate Adaptation and solutions, Field work]

Last week, we hosted the "Water Management Strateg

Last week, we hosted the "Water Management Strategies" conference at Government Model Degree College, Padum (Zanskar), bringing together young students, experts, and local stakeholders to discuss ongoing work in the water management sector and engage in creating solutions to water and agriculture-related issues in the local context.

Speakers included:

🏔️ Anurag Maloo ( @anuragmaloo ), who shared his journey of entrepreneurship, survival on Annapurna, and his current work building The Voice of Glaciers Foundation ( @thevoiceofglaciers )

🌱 Mehak Abdullah ( @mehakdar19 ), who introduced micro-irrigation and its potential for Ladakh's water-scarce landscapes.

❄️ Suryanarayanan Balasubramanian ( @surya.leh ) who presented our work on automating artificial ice reservoirs and their growing relevance in the mountain regions of Ladakh and beyond

💧 The Executive Councilor of Kargil, Phunchok Tashi, who addressed Zanskar's pressing challenges and outlined a vision for climate-resilient development

Towards the end of the conference, attendees were divided into groups representing various villages, where they were asked to create a village water map as an exercise to understand the water storage and distribution systems within their respective villages.

This event marks a significant step towards empowering the youth in Zanskar to take stewardship in shaping a climate-secure and water-resilient future.

A big thank you to Kirti Chavan ( @kc_bearsearcher ), Skalzang Choespel, Conservation with Compassion in the Himalayas and Environmental Education and Conservation Global for bringing this conference to reality.

#watermanagement #agriculture #zanskar #ladakh #actlocal #youthengagement #climateaction

📢 Job Opening 📢 We're seeking an Embedded E

📢 Job Opening 📢

We're seeking an Embedded Engineer to join our core team at our R&D hub in Ladakh. Working directly with our Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Suryanarayanan (@surya.leh), you'll shape the development of water management solutions in mountain regions!

Apply now by scanning the QR code or checking the link in the bio.

Deadline is 3rd August, 2025.

#hiringnow #jobopportunity #ladakh #climateaction
#climatesolutions #watermanagement

[Hiring Now, Job Opportunity, Job Opening, Ladakh]

Last week, we visited Igoo and Ayee villages with

Last week, we visited Igoo and Ayee villages with @nabardonline filmmaker @sharannyaparkour to document villager testimonies on the automated ice reservoirs. The fields were vibrant with blooming mustard, alfalfa, and thriving vegetable plots — a testament to how the reservoirs supported irrigation this season. Feedback from the villagers was also very positive!

The visit also coincided with the remote inauguration of NABARD's new office in Ladakh by Shri Nagaraju Maddirala, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (@dfs_india), Government of India, in celebration of NABARD's 44th Foundation Day. The event highlighted past project successes and initiated discussions on future collaborations with various stakeholders, particularly in strengthening agriculture across Ladakh. We look forward to continuing this meaningful work together.

#climateaction #climateadaptation #documentation #ruraldevelopment #agriculture

[Water management, Agriculture, Ladakh, Artificial Ice Reservoirs,. Collaboration]

Ayee is a small village located in Nubra Valley th

Ayee is a small village located in Nubra Valley that primarily relies on spring-fed water sources for agriculture. The villagers cultivate a variety of crops, including wheat, barley, carlin pea, mustard, garlic, potatoes, and fodder crops. This past winter, our ice structure achieved a volume of 2.1 million liters, and to assess its impact, a survey was conducted. The villagers reported that the ice structure has benefited them by enabling early irrigation during the critical spring season, allowing for timely land preparation for cultivation. The Churpon system is vital here due to limited water availability, necessitating a strict water distribution schedule. With a strong sense of community, the villagers come together for sowing and harvesting, supporting one another throughout the agricultural season.

#watermanagement #ladakh #agriculture #communityliving

[Ladakh, Agriculture, Community Living, Water Management, Artificial Ice Reservoirs]

Our First Annual team retreat to PUGA known for ge

Our First Annual team retreat to PUGA known for geothermal activity and hot springs and TSOKAR, a wetland under Ramsar conservation includes two connected lakes—Startsapuk Tso (freshwater) and Tso Kar (hypersaline) and is recognized as a breeding ground for threatened and migratory bird species such as the black-necked crane and saker falcon. A refreshing break— camping, playing games, birdwatching, where we spotted stunning species like the Brown-headed Gull, Bar-headed Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, Black-necked Crane, Temminck’s Stint, White Wagtail, and White-winged Redstart and simply being immersed in nature and . Beyond the adventure, time to connect with teammates beyond workspace and as we head into intense work in the upcoming months, this retreat was a perfect reset
Big cheers to @mingyur_gya @panthera_expedition for being the ultimate guide and making it all seamless and memorable.

In Ursi, the ice structures achieved a volume of 4

In Ursi, the ice structures achieved a volume of 4.5 million liters this past winter. A recent survey aimed to assess the impact of our construction on the 16 households that depend on this water for irrigation. Villagers have reported that automation has simplified the maintenance process, eliminating the need for round-the-clock shifts. They also noted that the ice this year is denser than the previous years.

The water from our ice reservoir supports the irrigation of crops such as barley, carlin pea (Ladakhi winter pea), apples, apricots, poplar trees, and fodder. Some families have even expanded their barley cultivation due to the increased availability of water this year.

Women work hard in the fields and on off days, they are busy preparing for next winter - weaving traditional ladakhi dresses (goncha/kos), sweaters and socks.

#climateaction #climateadaptation #mountainstory #ladakh #watermanagement #irrigation #fromthefield

[Climate Adaption, Stories from the Himalayas, Irrigation and Cultivation, Water Scarcity, Ursi]

It’s been inspiring to engage with the Indian gl

It’s been inspiring to engage with the Indian glaciological community over the past few weeks. The first-ever Leh Indian Glaciology Summer School (LIGSS) is currently underway here in Ladakh. The team at Acres of Ice took students to one of our field sites in Igoo, where we discussed our system, the catchment's glacial hydrology, the urgent need for adaptation, and key gaps in current knowledge.

@surya.leh also gave a talk, reflecting on his journey — from volunteer to PhD researcher to entrepreneur at Acres of Ice — all driven by a shared mission: better mountain water management.

It's also been wonderful engaging with @anuragmaloo and hearing his powerful story of survival on Annapurna and his vision for the future of glacial preservation with @thevoiceofglaciers

And yesterday, we reconnected with LIGSS again, as some students saw their first-ever glacier!

Huge thanks to Saurabh Vijay, and Argha Banerjee for bringing together such a passionate, diverse group and for making glaciology feel exciting and hopeful again.

Here’s to science, community, and climate resilience in the mountains!

#climatescience #fieldwork #ladakh #glaciology #cryosphere #iygp2025

Ladakh’s communities have long depended on glaci

Ladakh’s communities have long depended on glacial water for agriculture. However, climate change has led to severe water scarcity in many villages, making once-fertile lands barren and forcing many to migrate to cities as farming becomes unsustainable.

At Acres of Ice, we aim to boost agriculture in water-scarce areas through innovative irrigation technology and sustainable water management practices.

We have begun field surveys to identify affected villages, understand their traditional systems of water use and develop solutions that reconnect people with farming. We hope to build trust with farmers and create a lasting positive impact on Ladakh’s rural communities.

#watermanagement #fromthefield #ladakh #agriculture #ruraldevelopment

This World Environment Day, we reflect on the live

This World Environment Day, we reflect on the lived realities of the Changpa herders of Changthang, Ladakh — stories often unheard but deeply urgent. As participants in a three-day workshop hosted by @ncf.india and the Ecological Restoration Alliance , we engaged in a collective visioning exercise using the Three Horizons framework. Together with practitioners, ecologists, and local voices, we mapped out possibilities for a more just, ecologically balanced future for Changthang and its communities. During our field visit to Changthang brought these challenges into sharp focus. The Changpa herders spoke of mounting threats — harsh weather, water shortages, shrinking pastures, and rising attacks on livestock by feral dogs. The survival of the iconic Pashmina goat, and with it, an entire way of life, hangs in the balance. Alongside these challenges was a powerful undercurrent of resilience and a desire to imagine alternatives. As we continue our work on climate adaptation in the Himalayas, we hold on to that vision. A future rooted in justice, dignity, and sustainability. Because no one should be left behind.

#worldenvironmentday2025 #conservation #ladakh #fromthefield

Drip irrigation is a game-changer in agricultural

Drip irrigation is a game-changer in agricultural water management, offering significant efficiency gains over traditional flood irrigation methods. Thanks to the support of @global_resilience_partnership and @_icimod , we are conducting rigorous field trials comparing flood irrigation, manual drip, and automated drip systems across three identical plots of apricot trees at the Stakna Campus of University of Ladakh. Here are a few snapshots from the ongoing work!

#watermanagement #dripirrigation #dripirrigationsystem #agriculture #ladakh #fromthefield #fieldwork #wip

🌊 Automated Ice Reservoirs Boost Water Security

🌊 Automated Ice Reservoirs Boost Water Security in Ladakh 🏔️

We’re excited to share results from our 2024-25 AIR Campaign in Ladakh, where we stored 18.4 million litres of water across seven villages, improving seasonal water security. Our detailed report covers everything, from drone-based site selection to system performance and maintenance, household impact, and cost analysis, showing AIR is 80x more economical than alternatives. With climate change threatening glacial water, AIR technology offers a scalable, sustainable solution for over 14,000 mountain villages. Next winter, we aim to scale to 30 AIRs and expand across India and Nepal.

Download our full report to learn how AIR is transforming high-altitude water resilience. Link in the bio.

#watermanagement #climateaction #annualreport #ladakh #climateadaptation #hkh #highmountainasia

The "Ice Reservoirs & Their Future Beyond Ladakh"

The "Ice Reservoirs & Their Future Beyond Ladakh" conference, a landmark event on sustainable water management in high-altitude regions, was held yesterday at The Pal Hotel, Leh.

Organized by Acres of Ice in collaboration with GIZ India and the UT of Ladakh, the event featured the release of the AIRs Campaign 2024–25 report by Dr. Suryanarayanan and Padmashree Chewang Norphel, alongside representatives Tsewang Dorjey (NABARD), Rajeev Ahal (GIZ), Mrs. Elizabeth Richter (German Embassy), and Mr. Murtaza Ali (I&FC Dept.).

Key talks included:
🔹 Dr. Purushottam Garg (GB Pant Institute) – On the state of glaciers in Ladakh
🔹 Samten (Himmothan) – In-field challenges in building artificial glaciers across Ladakh
🔹 Dr. Jagdish Purohit (GIZ) – Implementation of water management projects across India
🔹 Mehnaz – Administrative frameworks for water management
🔹 Murtaza Ali – On adapting the Indian Government's "Catch the Rain" initiative for ice reservoirs
🔹 Closing remarks from Mr. Stanzin Choespel, Executive Councillor, highlighted the critical importance of these technologies for Ladakh's sustainable future.

The event underscored growing interest in expanding ice reservoir technology beyond Ladakh to other high-altitude regions worldwide facing similar water security challenges due to climate change.

#watermanagement #conference #ladakh #ladakhnews #climatesolutions #climateaction

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