Sonam Wangchuk: An Ice Fountain Brings Water to the Himalayan Desert
Sonam Wangchuk and the trees that were planted in 2015 by the villagers of Phyang. High on the Tibetan Plateau, a large frozen structure, called an “ice stupa,” has become a fixture in the cold Himalayan desert region of Ladakh, India. The manmade fountain, steeped in what looks like drizzled wax or white cake frosting, stands in sharp contrast to its arid background. An unusual sight to behold, it draws thousands of visitors to the otherwise remote village.
Named for the similarly shaped Buddhist monuments that dot the landscape, the ice stupa is more than just a work of art. Engineer, educator, and innovator Sonam Wangchuk created it to bring a steady stream of water to residents. Its design is ingeniously simple: Gravity pipes water from glaciers to lower elevations. When the desert temperatures dip below negative 30 degrees Celsius, a pump shoots the water up into the air, where it freezes upon descent. Because of the conical structure, the daytime sun melts only some of the ice each day. So far, the structure has successfully provided water to farmers well into July. Years into the project, even its creator is still in awe.
“It’s an amazing feeling every time I see the fountain gushing water high up into the air,” says Wangchuk. “It’s art and utility happening together.”
Wangchuk and his team made their first prototype of the ice stupa in 2013. Now, they’re building other ice stupas throughout the region and the world, including Switzerland. Wangchuk’s success derives from a restlessly creative mind and a sense of resourcefulness his mother instilled in him at a young age. He grew
