The "eternal snow" on the mountains of Papua, an Indonesian region near the equator, is projected to disappear completely within the next one to two years. These peaks have historically provided scientists with valuable information about Earth's climate history and are central to the spiritual beliefs of many Indigenous Papuans.
A century ago, the Sudirman Range's four major peaks had permanent snow and ice. Now, only small areas around Puncak Jaya, also known as Carstensz Pyramid, retain any snow. Glacier cover around this peak has drastically reduced from nearly 1,900 hectares in the 19th Century to approximately 16 hectares today.
Marie Šabacká, a Czech glacier ecologist, noted that Papua's tropical glaciers are unique due to their isolation from other glacier systems. She stated that their retreat is evidence of a warming planet, driven by human activity, including the burning of fossil fuels. The disappearance of these glaciers removes both a biological habitat and a culturally significant landscape.
For at least five Indigenous groups, Puncak Jaya holds strong spiritual ties. The Moni people refer to it as Mbainggela, believing their ancestors watch over it, while the Amungme people know it as Nemangkawi, or the "White Arrow," symbolising honesty, purity, and moral integrity. Amungme environmental activist Adolfina Kum expressed that the melting ice risks shattering traditions and cultural foundations, likening it to the destruction of Mecca or the Vatican for her people.