Latest news with #WIHG
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Himalayas may be 40 million yrs older than thought: New study
Dehradun: Scientists at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) have found that parts of Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern Himalayas saw intense geological activity millions of years before the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collided: an event long believed to have led to formation of the Himalayas around 50 million years ago. The study, funded by the ministry of earth sciences and published in the Journal of the Geological Society, revealed that a prolonged phase of volcanic and magmatic activity occurred in the Lohit and Dibang valleys around 40 million years before the plate collision. Focusing on the Lohit Plutonic Complex (LPC), a belt of underground igneous rocks, researchers used geochemical analysis and zircon U–Pb dating (determining the age of rocks by analysing the radioactive decay of uranium to lead in zircon crystals) to conclude that the activity was likely triggered by the subduction (where one tectonic plate slides beneath another) of the Neo-Tethys Ocean lithosphere beneath the Eurasian plate. The rocks in this zone were found to be chemically consistent with subduction-driven magmatic activity. "This region largely remained a blind spot in Himalayan geology," said WIHG scientist and project lead Vikas Adlakha. "Our study shows that the eastern Himalayas underwent complex geological changes much earlier than previously thought." The team also found the first definitive evidence of migmatisation in the area—partial melting of crustal rocks caused by intense heat and pressure—between 88 and 69 million years ago. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Researchers documented characteristic light and dark bands in the LPC rocks, hallmark features of migmatites, along with other signs of deformation and deep crustal shifts that predate the tectonic plate collision. "Our zircon dating shows that the melting and subduction-related activity occurred around the same time," said Adlakha. "This suggests a major thermal anomaly in the Earth's crust, likely due to long-term subduction and crust thickening." The study links the LPC to the broader Trans-Himalayan arc system, which includes the Kohistan–Ladakh and Gangdese regions in the western Himalayas and Tibet. "This study connects the geological dots from the western to the eastern Himalayas," said Adlakha. "It confirms that subduction-related processes were not confined to Ladakh or Tibet but extended all the way to Arunachal Pradesh." The findings have broader implications, not just for understanding how the crust evolved in this region, but also for mineral exploration and seismic risk assessment in the northeast region, which remains one of India's most earthquake-prone areas. "This is just the beginning," said lead author Kunal Mukherjee. "There is much more to learn from the rocks of Arunachal and many more secrets waiting beneath the surface."
Time of India
7 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
‘Chorabari glacier near Kedarnath retreating 7m per year'
Dehradun: The Chorabari glacier, located above Kedarnath in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district, is retreating at an average rate of nearly 7m per year, according to Doon-based Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Just below the glacier is Chorabari Tal, a moraine-dammed lake that breached in June 2013 after heavy rainfall and rapid snow and ice melt, triggering catastrophic floods in Kedarnath that killed over 4,000 people and destroyed more than 3,300 homes. WIHG shared this data in response to an RTI query filed by Dehradun-based activist Amit Gupta, noting that the glacier's ice-covered area shrank from 6.1 sq km in 2009 to 5.91 sq km in 2019. The institute said the retreat rate is consistent with broader glacial recession trends across the Indian Himalayas driven by rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns. While the decline may appear modest, experts said that it signals long-term glacial degradation. Manish Mehta, senior scientist at WIHG, told TOI that there are many other glaciers in the Himalayas that were steadily retreating, like the Chorabari glacier. "In the case of Chorabari, the rate of retreat would have been significantly higher if not for the thick debris cover, which acts as an insulating layer, slowing down the glacier's melting", he added. A 2018 study by IIT Mumbai supports WIHG's findings. Using Landsat satellite data to track glacial retreat between 1976 and 2016, it found an average area loss of 0.8% per year, reinforcing concerns about sustained ice loss in the region. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Experts caution that continued glacial melt increases the risk of lake outburst events, and stressed the urgent need for sustained monitoring and broader climate action to reduce warming in the region. "It's clear that global warming and human activities are directly affecting the glacier near Kedarnath. There's an urgent need to regulate such activities and define a carrying capacity to prevent further damage. We must ask ourselves, at what cost are we pursuing development? It is our responsibility to protect Kedarnath's sanctity and ecological balance," said RTI activist Amit Gupta. WIHG has been monitoring the Chorabari glacier since 2003 through satellite data and field studies to track changes in snow cover and glacial dynamics. In 2011, the institute installed three automatic weather stations near the glacier to study local meteorology and surface mass balance, but they were destroyed in the 2013 floods.
New Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
Uttarakhand faces earthquake risk as tectonic stress builds up
DEHRADUN: A 250-kilometre stretch of land in Uttarakhand is under severe pressure due to tectonic activity and could experience a massive earthquake measuring 7 to 8 in magnitude, warn geoscientists. This stretch, which runs from Tanakpur in Kumaon to Dehradun, is located in one of the most earthquake-prone zones in the Himalayan region and is currently in a state of "contraction," causing deep underground stress. According to Dr. Vineet Gahlot, Director of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), the Himalayas are constantly shifting due to north-south tectonic movement. While plates typically move about 40 millimetres each year, this specific stretch moves much slower — only 14 to 20 millimetres per year. "This movement discrepancy, where a section is 'locked' or moving slower than surrounding areas, causes immense crustal stress. Similar conditions in Nepal historically culminated in major seismic events," said Dr. Gahlot. GPS tracking across the region has confirmed that many areas are moving much slower than normal, with some as low as 14 millimetres annually. This slower movement indicates the land is shrinking, a clear sign of dangerous tectonic stress building up. Dr. R.J. Perumal, a senior scientist at WIHG, shared the results of his study on this phenomenon. He pointed out that an 80-kilometre stretch between Munsyari and Mohand in Dehradun is moving just 20 millimetres annually. In this area, four major fault lines lie deep underground, at angles between 70 to 80 degrees. "Seismic energy is continuously accumulating deep within the earth's crust, unreleased," he warned. He added that while some fault lines have gentler angles — around 40 to 45 degrees — and allow plates to move more freely at the usual 40 millimetres annually, the steep angles in the locked areas are likely causing the dangerous energy build-up.
New Indian Express
15-06-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Alarm bells ring: Uttarakhand's glacier lakes swell, signalling future disasters
DEHRADUN: The Himalayan region of Uttarakhand is witnessing an alarming proliferation of glacial lakes, a trend that experts warn could signal major future disasters in this ecologically fragile zone. A recent study by the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) has brought this worrying development to the fore. The study reveals a significant increase in the number of glaciers across the state, currently recorded at 1,290, up from 1,266 a decade ago. Concurrently, the area covered by glacial lakes has expanded by a substantial 8.1 per cent. This growth underscores the severe impacts of climate change on the delicate Himalayan ecosystem. Dr Rakesh Bhambri, a glaciologist at WIHG, elaborated on the findings, stating, 'Our research indicates that new lakes are forming on glaciers in the Uttarakhand Himalayas, and existing lakes are growing in size. There has been a notable increase in their numbers since our 2015 study.' Attributing this surge primarily to climate change and global warming, he further explained, 'The occurrence of rain instead of snow at altitudes of four to five thousand metres is a significant contributing factor, leading to glacier melt and the formation of these lakes.' While acknowledging the overall increase, Dr Bhambri clarified that not all lakes are expanding. The destructive potential of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) is not new to the region. The devastating Kedarnath tragedy of 2013 was triggered by the bursting of the Chorabari glacial lake, and the 2021 Raini-Tapovan floods were also a result of a similar event. Sikkim experienced a comparable disaster in 2013. In light of these past catastrophes, the Indian government has identified 13 such high-risk glacial lakes in Uttarakhand that could pose a significant threat in the future. Prominent among these are Vasundhara Lake in Chamoli, Kedartal in Uttarkashi, Nagkund in Bageshwar, six lakes in Pithoragarh, and one in Tehri.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Time of India
Chardham Yatra – A spiritual journey turning into an environmental crisis
Dr Rakesh Kapoor, a former special secretary to the government of Himachal Pradesh, is a geologist and an expert in integrated waste management The Chardham Yatra, one of India's most sacred pilgrimages encompassing Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath in Uttarakhand, has long been a spiritual magnet attracting millions of devotees yearly. However, what once was a solemn religious journey is now increasingly viewed as an environmental and tourism management crisis. While the pilgrimage plays a significant role in the region's economy, its unchecked expansion is beginning to 'kill' real tourism and pose serious threats to the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. Environmental Degradation The registration (both offline and online) reveals the number of pilgrims: 3 lakhs in 2020, 5 lakhs in 2021, 45 lakhs (205 days) in 2023, and 48 lakhs (153 days) in 2024. According to the same sources, the number of vehicles, which was 3.27 lakhs in 2022, almost doubled to 5.20 lakhs in 2024. This is not the only means of transport — there are 4,300 registered operators, more than 8,000 mules, and around 2,400 Dandi and Kandi carriers en route. All these are adversely affecting road infrastructure and aggravating waste disposal, which is already in disarray. The massive influx of pilgrims, especially during the peak months of May to July, leads to overcrowding, deforestation, and waste mismanagement. Lack of proper toilets and open defecation along riverbanks, nullahs, and forest areas is polluting tributaries of the sacred Ganga, causing health and environmental issues. Narrow mountain roads are widened to accommodate vehicles, often by blasting hillsides and cutting the toe of slopes, making the terrain more vulnerable to landslides and soil erosion. According to environmental experts, the Chardham highway project has led to the felling of thousands of trees and disturbed natural water channels, accelerating glacier melt. All major glaciers — Gangotri, Gaumukh, Satopanth, Alkapuri, Khatsalgang, Dunagiri, and Bandarpoonch — are receding at a faster-than-expected rate, bearing the brunt of lopsided development and destabilising the region's geography. A study by ICMOD and WIHG has confirmed this. Moreover, the smaller towns en route to the Chardham Yatra — including Barkot, Hanuman Chatti, Janki Chatti, Peepalkoti, Joshimath, Devprayag, Karnprayag, and Rishikesh — all have civic amenities barely enough for the local population, if not inadequate, and certainly unable to meet the demands of lakhs of pilgrims thronging every summer. The hotels, dharamshalas, and eateries often lack proper waste disposal systems, circumventing the CTPA rules and regulations, building bylaws, and urban planning norms. The result is evident: piles of plastic, human waste, and non-biodegradable trash lining riverbanks and trekking routes. This pollution seeps into the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, threatening biodiversity and the water security of millions downstream. Impact on real tourism While pilgrimage tourism grows exponentially, it overshadows the region's potential for sustainable and experiential tourism. Uttarakhand is home to pristine valleys, rich biodiversity, cultural villages, and adventure trails. These attractions — which promote slower, environmentally responsible tourism — are often ignored or even degraded due to the focus on catering to the mass pilgrimage market. Real tourism, which values nature, local culture, and sustainability, is losing ground to overcrowded, chaotic yatra rushes. Tourists seeking peace, adventure, or cultural immersion are increasingly deterred by the over-commercialisation, traffic congestion, and environmental deterioration of these once-pristine areas. Infrastructure vs Ecology The Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna (Char Dham Road Project), aimed at improving connectivity to the pilgrimage sites, has been under scrutiny for bypassing environmental safeguards. Experts argue that the ecological cost of such development far outweighs the benefits, especially when alternative eco-sensitive approaches could have been employed. Additionally, the growing number of helicopter services to Kedarnath — once a challenging trek — has drastically altered the pilgrimage experience and added noise and air pollution to an already stressed environment, biodiversity, fragile geo-demographic profile, and geographic setting, caused by vibrations resulting in slippages and tremor-related structural failures, as evident by large-scale landslides. If we just go by government-provided numbers from nine sites, 250 daily sorties of helicopters take 1,500 pilgrims to these shrines. A call for balance The challenge is not to end the Chardham Yatra, but to rethink it. The pilgrimage should be aligned with principles of environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism. Controlled visitor numbers, better waste management, eco-friendly infrastructure, and promotion of offbeat, responsible tourism can help restore balance. Similar sentiments were recently expressed in an online discussion, held under the aegis of Doon-based SDC Foundation, involving priests and other stakeholders of Chardham Yatra, which concluded that the yatra, if left unchecked, risks turning the spiritual Himalayas into a zone of irreversible ecological damage and shallow mass tourism. Protecting the environment must become a spiritual responsibility, not a bureaucratic afterthought. Only then can real tourism — one that celebrates nature, culture, and sustainability — thrive. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
