Sukhi, Oct. 13 -- It is a clear October day, high up near the glaciated regions of Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone. But, there is barely a speck of snow on these peaks. They stand bare, with exposed grey rock.

Till a few years ago, all these peaks appeared white all year round to residents of Sukhi and surrounding villages (altitude of 2300 m), now snow covers these peaks barely for a month or two.

Sukhi's villagers are trying to come to terms with the unforeseen changes that glaciers in the Bhagirathi basin have undergone in the past decade or so.

Sukhi, a picturesque village, about 30 km downstream of Gangotri, surrounded by several glaciers and glaciated regions including Gaumukh, Bandarpunch, the Sreekanth peak (an ice clad mountain)...