Dhaka: The Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI-SPF) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) have signed a Joint Statement of Understanding to launch the Glacier to Ocean project, an initiative aimed at connecting the Himalaya and the Bay of Bengal through integrated climate action.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), often referred to as the ‘Third Pole,’ holds the world’s largest volume of ice outside the polar regions. Its glaciers are crucial as they feed major rivers that sustain approximately 270 million people in the hills and mountains, and 1.65 billion people in the basins downstream. However, the region is currently facing severe climate challenges, including accelerated glacial melt, erratic rainfall, and increasing flood and drought risks, which impact both the lowland areas and the ocean.
By linking mountain and marine ecosystems, the Glacier to Ocean project aims to address climate impacts across the entire source-to-sea continuum, a critical yet infrequently adopted approach in climate adaptation and sustainability planning. The partnership between ICIMOD and OPRI-SPF is designed to tackle shared environmental challenges, ranging from glacial retreat in the HKH to biodiversity loss and marine pollution in the Bay of Bengal, thereby strengthening resilience across the Ganges Basin.
As part of the project, early warning systems will be developed and enhanced for glacial hazards and climate risks in the Ganges Basin, with a particular emphasis on upstream-downstream linkages. The initiative will also promote community-based, gender-responsive adaptation strategies across river basins. Additionally, eDNA technologies will be utilized to assess and monitor marine biodiversity in the Bay of Bengal, which is expected to undergo changes due to climate change.
Furthermore, the project will conduct awareness campaigns and foster policy engagement concerning heavy metal and plastic pollution and their effects on watershed environments. Knowledge will be generated throughout the Ganges Basin to support evidence-based regional policies for climate adaptation, sustainable water management, and resilience from the glaciers to the ocean.