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The Cilo Mountains in southeastern Türkiye, home to ancient glaciers estimated to be up to 20,000 years old, are rapidly disappearing. Scientists warn that without immediate action, these ice masses could vanish completely within the next two decades. Rising to 4,135 meters above sea level, the glaciers in Hakkari province have survived thousands of years of climate shifts. However, global warming is now accelerating their decline at an alarming rate.

Scientists Call for Urgent Protection

Experts, including Professor Faruk Alaeddinoğlu of Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, are raising the alarm. They emphasize the need for strict protective measures, such as restricting visitor access to prevent further damage.

“Tourists and hikers unknowingly contribute to the destruction. The only way to protect these glaciers is to keep people away,” Alaeddinoğlu stated. His team is urging authorities to declare the area off-limits and implement conservation strategies before it’s too late.

Dramatic Ice Loss Over Decades

Studies show that over the past 30 years, the Cilo glacier area has shrunk by 55%. Ice layers that were once 200 meters thick have now thinned to less than 50 meters. The surface of these glaciers is no longer solid ice but instead riddled with cracks, tunnels, and meltwater channels, all signs of severe internal damage.

“Melting is happening faster here than at lower altitudes,” Alaeddinoğlu explained. The fragile ice structures are unable to withstand both rising temperatures and increased human activity.

The situation is dire. If the trend continues, the loss of these glaciers will not only impact Türkiye but will also contribute to the broader global climate crisis.

A Global Crisis for Glaciers

The melting of the Cilo glaciers reflects a worldwide issue. Data from the World Glacier Monitoring Service shows that since 1975, glaciers worldwide have lost 9,000 billion tonnes of ice. To put that in perspective, it equals a 25-meter-thick ice block the size of Germany.

Between 2022 and 2024, glaciers experienced their most dramatic mass loss in recorded history. Seven of the ten worst years for ice loss have occurred since 2016, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The consequences of these losses are far-reaching. Melting glaciers contribute to rising sea levels, increasing the risk of coastal flooding. They also threaten water supplies for millions of people who rely on glacier-fed rivers.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo underscored the gravity of the situation: “Preserving glaciers is more than an environmental or economic issue—it’s a matter of survival.”

Impact on Local Ecosystems and Communities

The disappearance of the Cilo glaciers would have devastating effects on the region. Many local communities depend on the meltwater from these glaciers for drinking water and agriculture. As glaciers shrink, water shortages become more severe, disrupting both human populations and wildlife.

Glacial loss also increases the risk of natural disasters. Without ice to regulate the water cycle, floods and landslides become more frequent. The delicate balance of the mountain ecosystem is at stake.

Professor Alaeddinoğlu and his colleagues are urging the Turkish government to take immediate steps to protect the Cilo glaciers. Their recommendations include covering sections of the glaciers with protective material to slow melting and establishing research stations to monitor changes.

“These glaciers are a national treasure,” he emphasized. “We must ensure future generations don’t just read about them—they must be able to see them too.”

With global temperatures continuing to rise, the fate of the Cilo glaciers hangs in the balance. Scientists stress that while local actions are crucial, broader international efforts to combat climate change are essential to preserve the world’s remaining glaciers.