Amne Machin, a 6,282-meter Himalayan giant in Qinghai Province, holds profound spiritual significance as one of Tibetan Buddhism's four sacred mountains. But its iconic glaciers – vital to regional ecosystems – are retreating at an alarming rate, according to recent photographic evidence from CGTN reporters.
Cultural Heritage Meets Environmental Crisis
Local Tibetan communities have revered these ice formations for centuries, viewing them as embodiments of divine energy. "The glaciers' disappearance isn't just an environmental issue – it's eroding living cultural history," explains Tenzin Dorje, a Maqen County cultural preservationist.
Economic and Ecological Impacts
The glacial melt affects downstream water security for millions across the Yellow River basin. Researchers from Lanzhou University estimate a 23% reduction in ice mass since 1990, with accelerated melting observed since 2015.
April 2024 images reveal newly exposed rock faces and diminished ice fields, underscoring urgent calls for climate action. The Qinghai provincial government recently announced expanded monitoring programs, though international scientists emphasize the need for coordinated regional strategies.
