The Concept of Natural Heritage and Protection of Glaciers under International Environmental Law

Abstract

Depletion of glaciers is a major international concern as glaciers are the most important source of freshwater. Receding glaciers at an unexplainable rate is also an indication of climate change. To counteract the threat of disappearance of glaciers there is a need of joint international action so that the natural resource of immense importance may be preserved. International Environmental Law has expanded in various forms to promote sustainable development. The concept of Natural Heritage has been used in World Heritage Convention to protect and preserve various natural environmental media which are of ‘outstanding universal value’. This paper tries to discuss the relevancy of this concept in protection of glaciers and how far it has been used in various international soft laws and hard laws for the said purpose.