Water on the roof of the world
From Ramesh Vinayak published in India Today and reprinted by Courrier International
At a time of melting ice and the gradual disappearance of eternal snow at the top of the largest mountains, an Indian hydrologist has opened the way for what could be a green revolution. For a dozen years, Ritesh Arya has indeed drilled more than one hundred wells in the region of Ladakh, India, one of the highest in the world. Against the general view, he went digging in granitic soils, where other world experts were convinced that groundwater would never exist.
Well it took: lately, he has drilled two wells in South Pullu and North Pullu, respectively at 4663 and 4693 metres of altitude. And more recently, he plans to dig in the pass of Khardung La, the highest road in the world, located in Ladakh as well.
Progress that could revolutionize the ice and desert regions of highest summits.