Experts, including Donaldi Sukma Permana, warn that these glaciers could completely vanish by 2026 if current trends continue.

Historically, glaciers were present on five peaks in Papua, but all except for Puncak Jaya have disappeared since the 1990s.

The melting glaciers pose a threat to local ecosystems, potentially disrupting habitats and forcing indigenous species to migrate due to rising temperatures.

Indonesia's last remaining glaciers, known as 'eternal snow', are located on Puncak Jaya in the Jayawijaya Mountains.

Recent measurements indicate that the glaciers' thickness has plummeted to approximately 4 meters as of late 2024, a significant drop from 6 meters in December 2023 and 32 meters in 2010.

The glacier coverage has also diminished dramatically, shrinking from 0.23 square kilometers in 2022 to between 0.11 and 0.16 square kilometers recently.

This alarming decline in glacier thickness is largely attributed to the severe El Nino event that occurred in 2015 and 2016, which accelerated the melting process.

Similar patterns of glacier loss have been observed in tropical regions worldwide, including the Eastern Rift mountains in Africa and the Andes in South America.

Moreover, the loss of these glaciers raises concerns about rising sea levels, which could lead to broader environmental consequences.