Meltdown in the Himalayas | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Meltdown in the Himalayas

None | ByReshma Patil
Feb 02, 2007 02:20 AM IST

ISRO glaciologist Anil Kulkarni at the Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, tells Reshma Patil what his team found from climbing mountains and checking satellite images of 466 shrinking glaciers.

What are your latest findings on the melting of Himalayan glaciers?

HT Image
HT Image

Our investigation published on January 10 in Current Science reported an overall reduction in glacier area from 2,077 sq km to 1,628 sq km from 1962 — an overall deglaciation of 21 per cent.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

We had estimated glacial retreat for 466 glaciers in Chenab, Parbati, Baspa basins. However, the number of glaciers has increased due to this fragmentation. Smaller glaciers and ice fields have shown extensive deglaciation. For example, 127 little glaciers and ice fields less than 1 sq km size have shown a retreat of 38 percent from 1962. This means that a combination glacial fragmentation, higher retreat of small glaciers and climate change are influencing the sustainability of Himalayan glaciers.

Are you shocked by the results?

We estimated this retreat of small glaciers and ice fields for the first time for the Himalayan region. The amount of retreat is much higher than earlier investigations, which were carried out for medium and large glaciers. 

Besides relying on remote sensing satellite data, did your team literally climb mountains?

Yes. There were numerous expeditions to glaciers like the Samudra Tapu, Parbati, Patsio and Shaune Garang glaciers. This work needs excellent mountaineering skills. Generally, glaciers in the Himalayas are located above 4,000 metres, so we need to be prepared to work under extreme weather conditions at high altitude.

Will Himalayan glaciers disappear by 2035 as an estimate suggests?

It is very unlikely. Large Himalayan glaciers are located at very high attitude and these have a high response time to warming. That is, if the present trend continues, then large glaciers will continue to retreat and their dimensions will became smaller.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On