An artificial glacier designed to solve a water crisis in the Himalayas is being developed by University of Aberdeen scientists. The glaciers - known as ice stupas - were invented in 2013 by engineer Sonam Wangchuk,but are still "in their infancy" according to researchers. Stupas release meltwater in the spring which is used for growing crops. They have been built in Ladakh,northern India,which is one of the most arid places in the world. Aberdeen's Cryosphere and Climate Change research group is working in the region to help improve the technology so they can be used more widely. "Our research has shown that mountain glaciers in Ladakh are retreating at an increasing rate," said Prof Matteo Spagnolo,from the university team. "So it is clear that interventions such as ice stupas are essential."
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