Bhutan’s Water Crisis: Climate Change and the Future of the Himalayas
Bhutan, a country rich in water resources, is facing an escalating crisis as climate change accelerates glacier retreat and depletes vital water sources.
Climate change poses a severe threat to Bhutan’s glaciers and water sources, endangering the livelihoods of 240 million people in the Himalayas and 1.6 billion people downstream, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay warned at the second Paro Forum 2025.
Bhutan’s Water Wealth and Hydropower Potential
Bhutan is rich in water resources, with 700 glaciers feeding 567 glacial lakes. These lakes supply numerous streams, five major and five minor river systems, as well as thousands of springs, totalling 7,399 water sources.
According to the Prime Minister, Bhutan’s water system generates 72 million cubic metres of water annually, with a per capita availability of 95,000 cubic metres—one of the highest in the world. This vast resource has the potential to produce over 30,000 megawatts of electricity, but so far, only 3,500 megawatts have been harnessed.
The Bottled Water Industry: An Emerging Opportunity
In 2024, the global bottled water industry was valued at USD 350 billion, with projections indicating it could reach USD 700 billion by 2033. The Prime Minister expressed optimism that Bhutan could tap into this lucrative market, given its pristine, high-quality drinking water and its proximity to India, a potential market of 1.4 billion consumers.
Cross-Border Hydropower and Water Export
Bhutan is set to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Government of India and the Government of Assam to jointly develop hydropower projects. This agreement includes plans to export electricity to Assam and supply Bhutanese water for agricultural use in the region.
Climate Change Impact on Bhutan’s Water Sources
Despite its abundant water resources, Bhutan is experiencing the devastating effects of climate change. Of the country’s 7,399 springs and water sources, nearly 69 have already dried up, while 1,586—accounting for 25% of the country’s water sources—are in the process of drying up. “Out of 530 sub-watersheds, 149 have already dried up. This will have a profound impact on the 240 million people living in the Himalayas and the 1.6 billion people living downstream,” the Prime Minister warned.
“The effects of climate change are no longer vague or distant,” he added.
Alarming Glacier Retreat
Bhutan has two types of glaciers: debris-covered and clean glaciers. According to Karma Dupchu, Director of the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), debris-covered glaciers are melting at a rate of 30 to 35 metres per year, while clean glaciers are retreating at 12 to 15 metres per year. “The rate of glacial retreat is much faster in the eastern Himalayas compared to the western region,” he said.
This data is based on studies of three benchmark glaciers: Gangjula, Thana, and Shodug. Bhutan currently has 17 potentially dangerous glacial lakes that could trigger glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
Limited Early Warning Systems and Challenges
Due to maintenance, cost, and sustainability challenges, Bhutan has only been able to install early warning systems in a few river basins, including the Punatshangchhu, Mangdechhu, Chamkharchhu, Amochhu, and Wangchhu basins.
Karma Dupchu noted that data on Bhutan’s glaciers remains incomplete. “The NCHM will create an inventory of them and is also planning to upgrade the existing early warning systems,” he said.
Currently, the NCHM has only a handful of glaciologists who can trek to the mountains to collect data on glaciers and glacial lakes. In addition to funding constraints, a shortage of human resources poses a major challenge.
“In Europe, researchers can monitor a glacier in a single day and return. In Bhutan, it takes eight to ten days of walking. The high altitude poses a significant risk for helicopters, and we cannot send people from one mountain to another due to acclimatisation issues. Additionally, safety equipment is expensive,” Karma Dupchu explained.
Bhutan’s Strategy to Combat Climate Change
Bhutan remains the only country in the world that mandates at least 60% of its land remain covered by forests. Today, 70% of Bhutan is under forest cover, with more than half designated as protected areas and wildlife sanctuaries.
The country has pledged to remain carbon-neutral. At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Bhutan formed an alliance called G-Zero, comprising four carbon-neutral nations: Panama, Madagascar, Suriname, and Bhutan. This alliance aims to inspire other nations to adopt similar commitments.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Bhutan’s commitment to strengthening its environmental laws and regulations through institutions such as the JSW School of Law and the Wisdom Centre for Justice.
Bhutan is also investing in climate-resilient transport systems, renewable energy—including hydropower, wind, and solar power—and organic agriculture. Additionally, efforts are being made to raise awareness among citizens about climate change and sustainability.
Raising Global Awareness on Climate Change
Bhutan’s mountainous terrain makes it highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, including floods, landslides, seasonal droughts, and GLOFs. Raising global awareness of these risks is crucial.
Climate experts and environmentalists emphasise the importance of securing climate financing to support resilience, mitigation, and adaptation efforts. A critical question remains: Who will compensate Bhutan for its glacial loss despite its carbon-neutral status?
Experts suggest that Bhutan should invest more in information and communication technology and filmmaking to draw international attention to its climate challenges. A recent example is Bhutanese filmmaker Arun Bhattarai’s documentary Mountain Man, which has reached the Oscars 2025—the first Bhutanese documentary to achieve this milestone.
Arun Bhattarai noted that the film was well received by international audiences and stressed the need for Bhutan to invest more in such projects to amplify its voice on the global stage.
The Global Climate Crisis
According to the World Meteorological Organisation, between January and September 2024, the global mean surface air temperature was 1.54°C—0.13°C above the pre-industrial average (1960s). This surpasses the globally agreed limit of 1.5°C, highlighting the urgency of climate action.
At COP29 in Azerbaijan, world leaders agreed to triple climate finance for developing countries, increasing the previous goal of USD 100 billion annually to USD 300 billion by 2035.
All stakeholders committed to scaling up climate finance from both public and private sources, targeting USD 1.3 trillion per year by 2035.
With its abundant water resources under threat, Bhutan is at a crossroads. While climate change poses significant challenges, the country is also positioning itself to take advantage of emerging opportunities. The road ahead will require a delicate balance between conservation, adaptation, and economic sustainability.
