The Earth System Science (ESS)

Himalayan Glaciology Programme

The glaciers are dynamic resources acting as natural reservoirs for supply of water to major river systems in Northern India with an enormous potential of hydroelectric power generation. From the Climate point of view, the complex orographic features, coupled with snow and glacier environments of Himalayan mountain ranges, are well known to play a significant role in the dynamics of the Indian monsoon, radiation balance due to snow/ice cover providing feedback mechanisms for advection water vapour from the surrounding oceans and for the very maintenance of seasonal cycles of the monsoon.

To create a strong R&D base in the country for studying the different aspects of Himalayan glaciers, the DST initiated a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional nationally coordinated national programme in Himalayan Glaciology in the early eighties of the last century. Initially, expectation and time-bound research projects were undertaken on Chhota Shigri Glacier. The studies included computation of ice thickness by gravimetric and ice-dynamic techniques, chemical analysis of melt-water, measuring spectral reflectance of snow as well as meteorological observations.

During the last decade, emphasis was laid on implementing the R&D activities in the areas relating to the palaeoclimate and atmospheric studies of the glacier environment, preparation of glacier inventory, conducting specific experiments at Gangotri and Dokriani Bamak glaciers, encouraging young scientist to undertake R&D as well as field studies, modernising the existing infrastructure for glacier studies, manpower development through organisation of basic/advanced training courses, field trips, etc

Significant milestones achieved were as follows:

Dokriani glacier in Garhwal Himalayan has been studied in some detail over the last ten years. A number of expeditions have been mounted to collect basic data relating to glacier dynamics, melt water contribution, sediment yield, isotopic and chemical characteristics, etc. infra-structural facilities have been set up on/near few selected glacier sites so that scientists can conducted studies even during winter months. An automatic weather station (AWS) has been established to collected real-time data on important meteorological parameters. Remote-sensing, radar technology and other geophysical methods are being used in the studies.

Recently, an Integrated R&D Programme on the Gangotri glacier has been launched to undertake long-term, systematic, multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional studies. Major participants in this programme are the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), UP. Remote Sensing Application Centre (UPRSAC). Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Birbal Shani Institute of Palaeobotany (BSIP) and Survey of India (SOI). The emphasis under the programme will be to determine the water and snow budget of the Glacier. Three AWS have been set up by the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE), under DRDO at Manali, to provide real-time data on specific meteorological parameters which are expected to help in understanding the micro-climate of the glacier system in that region.

Manpower development has been one of the prime objectives of the Himalayans Glaciology Programme of DST. Five field-observation-based Training Courses in Glaciology were organized by Geological Survey of India (GSI) during September 1993 to September 2005 with DST support. The training programme contained theoretical as well as field component at Chaurabari Glacier in Uttaranchal and Chaune Garan and Trilokhnath and Hamta Glaciers in Himachal Pradesh (H.P). About 65 scientist, drawn from various academic/research institutions in the country such as JNU (New Delhi), Garhwal University (Almorah), University of Lucknow, Patna University, SASE (Chandigarh & Manali), BSIP (Lucknow), National Institute of Hydrology (NIH; Roorkee), UPRSAC (Lucknow), Central Water Commission (CWC; New Delhi), Space Application Centre (SAC; Ahmedabad), WIHG (Dehradun), Physical Research Laboratory (PRL; Ahmedabad) and GSI (Lucknow), were trained in these training programmes.

In addition to the above, development of an Information & Archival Search System (IASS) for Himalayan Glaciology has completed. Final product will be available to user in electronic compact discs (CDs).

An inventory of major glaciers in the Indian Himalaya has been prepared by the SOI at DST's initiatives. The Inventory has been prepared statewise in order of their locations in J&K and Laddakh Himalayas including Karakoram range, Himachal Pradesh Himalayas, Garhwal & Kumaon Himalayas of Uttaranchal and Sikkim Himalayas.

Studies under Himalayan Glaciology Programme would require extensive collection of field data on a long term basis. To sustain these efforts, a need for providing an institutional base to Himalayan Glaciology as subject of national priority has long been felt. Through the deliberation of an Expert Group, a proposal has now been formulated to set up a National Centre for Field Operation and Research on Himalayan Glaciology (NCFOR-HG). The proposal is now under active consideration. To begin with, NCFOR-HG would provide administrative, infrastructural and technical support to glaciological studies in the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra basins. Setting up of regional centers of NCFOR-HG has also been proposed. Establishment of NCFOR-HG will mark an important step forward for providing the required fillip to glaciological studies in the country.