Srinagar, April 17 -- The Himalayan glaciers of Kashmir and Ladakh, often referred to as the "water towers of Asia," are critical to the hydrological systems of South Asia, supporting millions of people with freshwater for drinking, agriculture, and energy. These glaciers, snuggled within the rugged terrains amongst the towering Pir Panjal, Greater Himalayas, Zanskar, and Karakoram ranges, are under increasing threat from multiple anthropogenic and environmental pressures. Climate change, with its rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns, is accelerating glacier retreat at an alarming rate. Simultaneously, the urban heat island (UHI) effect, driven by rapid urbanization in nearby towns and cities, exacerbates local warming,...