Viewers remember the 3 idiots movie starring Aamir Khan which was a blockbuster in 2009 where viewers were left amazed with Aamir Khan’s many science experiments — inspired by Sonam Wangchuk, Aamir’s character “Phunsuk Wangdu” in the film. Sonam Wangchuk has now bagged the prestigious Rolex Awards for Enterprise 2016.
The awards were presented in Los Angeles on Tuesday to those “who have reshaped the world with their innovative thinking and dynamism”. Sonam’s “Ice Stupas” project is among the five winners this year.
The 50-year old engineer form Ladakh, has been attempting to solve the problem of lack of water for agriculture in the desert landscapes of the western Himalayas by constructing Ice Stupas.
The Ladakh region, at roughly 3,500-metre altitude between the Kunlun and Great Himalayan mountain ranges, faces acute water shortage during the April-May early crop-growing period. Mr Wangchuk was certain that access to water in the desert landscapes around many high altitude towns and villages of Ladakh could be improved if the huge seasonal outflow of glacial water could be frozen.
After being inspired by the experimental work of a fellow Ladakhi engineer, Chewang Norphel, Mr Wangchuk created a straightforward and effective system, creating what he calls "ice stupas" – which are conical ice mounds that behave like mini-glaciers, slowly releasing water for helping agriculture.
"The Rolex Award funds will support the project and promote ice stupas as a climate-change adaptation and desert-greening technique," Mr Wangchuk said in a statement.
Mr Wangchuk has planned to build up to 20 such ice stupas, each 30 metres high and able to supplying millions of litres of water. The long-term aim is to build an alternative university and engage youth in the environment.
"The Rolex Awards were designed to support those whose own spirit of enterprise mirrored the enterprising spirit on which the company was founded," Rebecca Irvin, Head of Philanthropy at Rolex, said in the release.
