The Ice Stupas: Lessons from the Himalayas

This session presents the documentary The Ice Builders, an observational film set in the high-altitude deserts of Ladakh, India, where local communities respond to glacial loss and water scarcity by building artificial glaciers called Ice Stupas. Born from the fusion of ancestral knowledge and low-impact engineering, this technique is being increasingly studied and tested in other mountain regions around the world—from the Swiss Alps to the Peruvian Andes—as a sustainable solution to seasonal water shortages.

Following the screening, a panel of engineers, researchers, and impact producers will discuss the relevance of Ice Stupas as a model of adaptation to climate change, exploring the intersections between science, traditional practices, and community-based resilience.

The event aims to reflect on how indigenous knowledge systems can inspire climate solutions that are rooted in local contexts yet scalable globally. It encourages a broader conversation about the role of mountain communities as innovators in the face of environmental crisis and the importance of integrating their voices in shaping future strategies for water management and ecosystem preservation.