Real-Life Phunsukh Wangdu Who Inspired Aamir Khan’s Role In ‘3 Idiots’ Bags Global Award
The 50-year old engineer created artificial glaciers or the ‘Ice Stupas’ to help, solve the problem of lack of water for agriculture in the desert landscapes of the western Himalayas.
Wangchuk was certain that access to water can be improved by the outflow of glacial water, especially in the desert regions. He developed a simple and effective system, what he calls “ice stupas” in which conical ice mounds behave like mini-glaciers, slowly releasing water for the growing season.
He intends to build 20 more ice stupas which will be capable of supplying millions of liters of water.
“The Rolex Award funds will support the project and promote ice stupas
as a climate-change adaptation and desert-greening technique.”
