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Time of India
17 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
India leads push for unified Himalayan cryosphere monitoring guidelines
Dehradun: Scientists and policymakers from across India have concluded a landmark workshop to finalise the first set of standardised guidelines for monitoring glaciers, snow and permafrost in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. Organised by Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) at IIT Indore, the two-day consultation was held last week and marked the final leg of a series of such events across HKH countries. It is expected to lay the foundation for a region-wide monitoring framework. More than 40 experts from IIT Bombay, IIT Indore, Kashmir University, the National Institute of Hydrology, and other leading institutions refined ICIMOD's draft manual, aligning it with India's field realities while maintaining consistency across the HKH region, which stretches from Afghanistan to Myanmar. "This guideline should steer all future cryosphere research in the region," said Dr R K Bahuguna, former deputy director of Isro's Space Applications Centre. The need for a coordinated monitoring system has become increasingly urgent. ICIMOD's 2025 Snow Update, released in April, reported that seasonal snow cover in the HKH was 23.6% below the 20-year average (2003–2023) -- the steepest drop since satellite tracking began. Further, a recent report by Hong Kong-based think tank China Water Risk (CWR) had warned that if emissions continue unchecked, 70–80% of HKH glaciers could disappear by 2100, threatening rivers like the Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra and Mekong that sustain nearly two billion people. Despite the scale of the crisis, inconsistent data collection methods have long hampered regional understanding of cryospheric changes. The proposed guidelines aim to standardise everything from sensor placement to data archiving, enabling long-term, comparable assessments of ice loss and improving early warning systems for downstream communities. "With glaciers retreating, snow cover shrinking, and permafrost steadily degrading, a coordinated approach is essential, not just for scientific accuracy but to strengthen our collective capacity to manage climate risks in the Himalayas," said Mohd Farooq Azam, senior intervention manager, cryosphere, at ICIMOD. "This consultation is a significant step toward a common vision for cryosphere research in India and the broader HKH region," he said. Often referred to as the world's "Third Pole," the HKH spans 4.2 million sq km across nine countries, including India, Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan. The revised manual will now be reviewed at ICIMOD's headquarters in Kathmandu before being shared with HKH govts later this year. Once adopted, officials say it could inform early warning systems, shape water policy and support funding proposals for climate-resilient infrastructure across South and Central Asia.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Ladakh glacier losing ice rapidly: ‘Milestone study' led by IIT scientist
Dehradun: Drang Drung Glacier in Ladakh has been losing ice or receding at an average rate of 1m per year between 2021 and 2023, according to scientists who carried out the first detailed glaciological study of the glacier. Spanning around 70 sq km, Drang Drung is the largest glacier in the Zanskar range. The study, hailed as a milestone in Himalayan climate science, was led by Mohd Farooq Azam of IIT Indore. Initial findings from the two-year investigation were recently published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Glaciology by Cambridge University Press. Despite its relatively clean surface, the glacier is steadily retreating, leading to the formation of a growing proglacial lake at its terminus. "This proglacial lake looks safe as of now, but its volume is increasing due to glacier recession, so we are keenly observing it," said Azam, who is also affiliated with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). The glacier is a crucial water source for the Doda and Zanskar rivers, sustaining nearly 5,000 people in downstream communities. Azam stressed the urgent need for long-term monitoring, expanded field infrastructure, and satellite-based support to better understand the impacts of climate-driven glacier melt on water resources in this ecologically fragile, cold-arid region. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Speaking about their research, Azam said, "Monitoring a large glacier like Drang Drung is logistically demanding due to its vast, rugged terrain and harsh weather. Reaching the accumulation zones, often above 5,000m, is extremely difficult." The study helps address a critical gap in Himalayan cryosphere research and represents a key step toward improving disaster preparedness and sustainable water management in Ladakh and beyond. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
