The Iceman of India - Chewang Norphel

Popularly known as Ice man of India, Chewang Norphel is well known for designing artificial glaciers in the arid regions of Ladakh to provide a permanent solution of water shortage among farmers of Ladakh region. Chewang is just another name for a man with steely intentions! Unlike most middle class people, Chewang Norphel was not interested to just make a living out of his job, but wanted to be a part of solution of a crucial problem affecting his local community. 

The Biography

Chewang Norphel was born in a middle class family in Ladakh. After completing his studies, he got his first posting as a civil engineer in rural department of Jammu and Kashmir in Ladakh. This was a turning point in his life as he himself was unaware of what life was going to offer to him.

His first visit to Ladakh

Ladakh is also called the frozen desert of India with a large arid patch of land,  freezing temperatures and scanty rainfall round the year. In spite of this, the land is very rich in cultural diversity. The only source of water for local people are frozen glaciers at high altitude that melt in summers and flow down to provide seasonal water supply to the villagers. About 80% of residents of Ladakh are farmers by profession and much dependent on this seasonal water supply for crop cultivation. 

The most appropriate season for crop cultivation in Ladakh is spring and summer which is around April to June however glaciers are still frozen and that time. They start melting completely in the month of June however the farmers need this water in the month of April which is the starting time of sowing seeds.

The seeding of an idea

Chewang after observing this problem, started reflecting over it to find a solution. The major concern was to get a perennial water supply in spring season for the farmers. It was practically impossible to pump the water from the rivers flowing down to the hilly terrains up, when there was potential power shortage in that region. Here sparked a life changing idea! 

It is a common practice in Ladakh to keep the water taps a little open in winter to avoid bursting of pipes near freezing points. Chewang once observed a strange phenomena in his house that the water coming out from the tap was forming a sheet of ice when flown over the soil below the trees however at other places it was flowing quite freely. His engineer mind immediately tickled that the water started freezing once it was slowed down by the soil under the shade of trees.

The Rise of a Solution

Chewang realized that the water wasting from melting glaciers and flowing down to the rivers in the month of June can be utilized for farming if stored at low altitudes in canals, catchment areas and reservoirs by constructing artificial glaciers! What a genius idea! This can provide the farmers- the much needed supply of water in the month of April which is the beginning stage of crop cycle.

After a lot of trials, he finally created his first Artificial Glacier at a height of 13000 feet as the water starts melting at lower altitudes in the month of April which can provide much needed water supply to the farmers. 

Execution of the idea

Chewang implemented his ingenious idea by channelizing streams of water melting from higher altitudes towards natural catchment areas and reservoirs at lower altitudes by passing it through shadowy areas of mountains. The water was further slowed down by constructing artificial walls and placing narrow iron pipes in its path of flow to dissipate the heat of flowing water naturally and speedily. The final result was an amazing artificial glacier at the other side. This water was further channelized in the field to the farmers through multiple streams in the villages below.

A Wave of positivity in Agriculture

Initially when Chewang pitched this idea, he was mocked and termed as crazy. He built his first artificial glacier at a nominal cost of rupees 90000 only. So far Chewang has created 17 artificial glaciers throughout Ladakh benefiting thousands of farmers by the proper supply of water for crop cultivation. This change has been witnessed in the form of increased agricultural production ,boosting of average income of farmers of the region and decrease in migration of local people in cities in the search of green pastures.

Awarding Padma Shri

In the Year 2015, Chewang was awarded 'Padma Shri', one of the highest civilian awards in India, for his noble efforts to bring about a major change in the lives of the people of Ladakh. Chewang Norphel is a live example of a changemaker who revolutionized the lives of common man by his firm determination ,self confidence and never ending motivation.