Snow has returned to the Om Parvat in Uttarakhand after completely disappearing from the peak for the first time

Last week, visitors to Uttarakhand’s Om Parvat were met with an unprecedented sight — the revered peak, known for its perpetual snow cover forming the sacred "Om" symbol, was completely devoid of snow for the first time in recorded history. This alarming phenomenon has sparked concerns among locals, tourists, and environmental experts alike.

Experts have attributed the snow disappearance to a combination of factors, including scanty rainfall and irregular snowfall in the upper Himalayan region over the past five years, escalating vehicular pollution, and the broader impacts of global warming. The cumulative effect of these environmental stressors has led to a dramatic change in Om Parvat’s snow cover, which melted completely this year, a stark departure from its usual 95-99% snow retention rate.

Implications on Uttarakhand’s tourism and ecology

Local officials expressed concerns that the absence of snow could negatively impact tourism, which is a vital part of the region’s economy. Hordes of pilgrims visit the Om Parvat due to the the profound significance of the “Om” symbol, to meditate and bask in the spiritual vibrations of the mystical place.

Om Parvat, situated at an altitude of approximately 14,000 feet in the Vyas Valley, is not only a popular tourist destination but also holds spiritual significance due to the natural "Om" formation on its snow-clad peak. The recent snowless period left visitors and residents alike unsettled.

Spiritual importance aise, the Adi Kailash and Om Parvat are also home to a diverse flora and fauna that contribute to the Himalayan biodiversity. Local communities living in the mountains’ surrounding regions are similarly reliant on the Om Parvat to preserve their age-old traditions and customs. These already fragile ecosystems are further endangered by the impacts of climate change.

The return of snow

Dhan Singh Bisht, who has served at the base camp of Adi Kailash yatra in Dharchula for over two decades, noted that this is the first time in his tenure that he witnessed Om Parvat completely devoid of snow, NDTV reported. The viral photos of the snowless peak even caught district administration officials off guard.

However, they could heave a collective sigh of relief after fresh snowfall on Monday night. Momentarily alleviating fears about the hill’s future, forecasts indicate that wet conditions are expected to continue over Pithoragarh — where Om Parvat is situated.

Cause for concern

The loss of snow on Om Parvat can be interpreted as a momentary warning. Environmental experts like Sunil Nautiyal, Director of GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, have underscored the need to address the root causes of this issue. Rising temperatures in the Himalayan region, fueled by increased vehicular emissions and global warming, are contributing to the rapid melting of snow. Nautiyal also highlighted the damaging effects of rampant forest fires, which release carbon that further harms these sensitive ecological zones.

The surge in tourist footfall following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jolingkong last October is also being scrutinised as a possible contributor to the environmental changes observed in the region.

The disappearance and subsequent return of snow to Om Parvat serve as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between human activity and environmental sustainability in the Himalayan region. As experts and locals continue to monitor the situation, the hope remains that proactive measures can prevent a repeat of this year’s alarming snowless period.