Impact of Climate Change on

Himalayan Glaciers & the climate

induced hazards and the initiatives

taken by the Government of

Himachal Pradesh

Dr. S.S.RandhawaSr. Scientific Officer

State Centre on Climate Change (State Council for Science, Technology &

Environment).

WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE

The long term fluctuations in temperature , precipitations, wind, and all other aspects of the Earth’s climate. It is also defined by the United Nations Convention on Climate Change as “Change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.

Five Questionsabout Climate Change

* Is the climate really changing ?* How much has been the past change ?* What will the future climate be like ?* What are the reasons for concern ?* Will there be more extreme weather events ?

Is the Earth warming? Really? Yes, really.

Ozone Layers

(0-15 km)

(50-90 km)

(15-50 km)

Greenhouse effect

Four Major Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases on the Rise

Estimates of Future Levels of CO2

Year CO2, ppm

2000 369

2010-2015 388-398

2050/2060 463-623

2100 478-1099

Source: IPCC, 2001

India’s Contribution to Global Warming

GAS Contribution to Global Warming (%)

Emission from India to Global

(%)

India’s contribution to Global Warming

(%)

CO2 61 2.2 1.34

CH4 15 4.0 0.6

N2O 4 4.8 0.2

CFCs 12 0.8 0.09

Total 2.23%

Climatic ChangeHow is being felt ?

• Increase in CO2

• Increase in temperature• Change in precipitation• Sea level rise• Retreating glaciers• Variability and extreme events such as floods and

drought

HOW WILL IT AFFECT US

?

CLIMATE CHANGE – A HIMALAYAN PERSPECTIVEClimate Change issues are of global concern. It pose major challenge to our mountain environment as mountain ecosystem is highly vulnerable and sensitive to the climatic variations. Mountain cover close to 20% of the Earth’s surface, providing a home to approximately one-tenth of the global human population. With their steep and varied topography and distinct altitudinal zones, mountains support a high diversity of species and ecosystem and large percentage of global endemic species. Mountains have special role in showing the effects of climate change. The Himalayan ecosystem has 51 million people who practice hill agriculture and whose vulnerability is expected to increase on account of climate change.

The economy of the State is wholly dependent on areas like the hydel power generation, horticulture, agriculture, forestry and tourism and are assumed to be under threat in the present scenario of changing climate. Any change in these sectors due to climate change, in every likelihood, will not only going to affect the livelihood prospects in the agrarian economies of mountain regions, but also everyone living below in the plains.

The major issues of concern due to the emerging threat of climate change in Himachal Pradesh are:

• Agrarian economy of 90% rural population and their livelihood.

• Dependence on rains for agrarian activities.

• Sustainability of hydro economy as dependency on snow and glaciers.

• Water sources for drinking and irrigation .

• Rural livelihood dependency on forest for fuel wood, fodder & non wood products etc.

• Economy of the State on the medicinal herbs.

• Climate induced and other natural hazards threat in the state.

Receding Trend in Himalayan Glaciers

2009

CLIMATE CHANGE – ISSUES OF CONCERN

Vacated Area

AGRO- HORTICULTURE SECTOR

1. Rabi crops more affected due to erratic rainfall.

2. Diversion from apple to vegetables especially in the Lower Kullu valley.

3. Increase in annual production of vegetables from 25,000 tonne in 3000 ha area in 1951-52 to 1269 thousands tonne in 65,000 ha area in 2010-11.

4. The rise in temp has affected the apple production especially located on the lower altitude.

5. Apple production in cold desert areas has suddenly improved.

6. Change in average winter temp. has led to early flowering in rhododendron.

Erratic and changing weather pattern has affected on the sustainability of marginal agriculture and horticulture in the State where average holding size is 1.07 ha and about 70% of the population depends upon these two sectors for their livelihood. Over 92% of the holdings in the State are classified as small or marginal and dependence on rain in some areas is very high. Thus, when viewed along with other specificities such as infrastructure, rugged topography, limited land for cultivation, limited livelihood choices, low productivity of land, and vulnerability to natural disaster renders the state to be highly vulnerable to the phenomena of climate change.

Replacement of apples by vegetables (Lower Kullu Valley)

Upward shift to cold desert region

SNOW & GLACIERS

According to experts, glaciers in the Himalaya have been reported to be in the retreating phase and in future, this can result in water scarcity for the people living in the mountain region and in downstream area who depend on glaciers and snow as a source of fresh water. Retreating glaciers, depleting snow cover and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) are of immediate concern in the mountain environment as GLOFs can have a devastating impact on the hydro power, water sources, people, livestock, forests, farms and infrastructure. Decreases in snow accumulation and glacial retreat might lead to acute water shortages in the future.

Glacier Status in Himachal Pradesh• An overall reduction in glacier area from 2077

sq.km to 1628 sq.km from 1962-2001 in Chenab, Parbati & Baspa Basins,H.P.

• An overall deglaciation of 21% of total area in these basins.

• About 10% deglaciation is observed in Spiti Basin between 2001-2007.

• Prominent glaciers like as studied by GSI in Himachal Pradesh shows:

• Chota Sigri 6.81 m/y retreat between 1962 -95

• Bara Sigri 29.78 m/y between 1906-1957

• Trilokinath as 17.86 m/y between 1968-1996

• Beas Kund as 18.8 m/y between 1963-2003

• Manimahesh as 29.1 between 1968-2005

TEMPORAL MONITORING OF GLACIERS

2001 2007

Effect of Climate Change on Snow fall pattern affecting precipitation in peak winter months.

Formation of moraine dammed lakes due to retreat of Himalayan glaciers – potential vulnerable area in Himachal Pradesh.

FORESTSForests in Himachal Pradesh are an important ecological and natural resource and have been aptly termed as “Green Pearl” in the Himalaya. About 26% of the State’s geographical area is the repository of 3245 species out of which 95% are endemic to the state and 5% (150) species are exotic, most of the people in rural areas in the State depend directly or indirectly on forests for their livelihood and use significant quantity of forest goods and services like non-wood forest products, ecotourism, fodder, timber etc.

The immediate repercussions of climate change on the forests are visible in the form of shifting of tree line to higher altitudes and movement of pine species to higher altitudes. Available data on climate suggested that by 2100, under the most probable scenario, temperature of the state is likely to increase by 30C and precipitation will decrease by 20% and in that situation the effects will be more visible and alarming also.

UPW

ARD SH

IFT OF TREE LIN

E

EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

INVASION OF PINE INTO OAK/DEODAR DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTING FODDER AVAILABILITY FOR LIVESTOCK & PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD

YearNo. of fire Incidences

Areas Affected (In Hectares)

1995 1669 57143

2000 1900 36887

2001-02 301 5719

2002-03 282 4204

2003-04 550 9896

2007-08 550 8393

2008-09 572 6586

2009-10 1906 24849

2010-11 870 7837

2011-12 168 1758

2012-13 1798 20773

2014-15(Up to 03-07-14)

580 4467

Source : SDMA Himachal Pradesh & Forest Department (Forest Protection & Fire Control, Bilaspur) 

BIODIVERSITY Himachal Pradesh being a

mountain State, is rich in floral and faunal biodiversity. The tribal and remote areas of the state have good medicinal and aromatic floral resources which plays a major in their livelihoods.

With the changing climate, many species are either facing the problem of extinction or declining because of rising temperature affecting health, well being and livelihood of the people who rely on such resources.

We are committed to preserve this Himalayan reserve as it provides us with biological resources and basic goods like food, fibre, medicine, timber, fuel wood etc.

Romulus sp. In upper Himachal

WATER RESOURCESClimate Change induced weather extremes such as unprecedented drought, frequent floods, cloud bursts, erratic and changing pattern of rain and snowfall, higher temperature and milder and late winters have affected the availability of natural resources in general and the water in particular. Over the years, the water availability in all towns of the State has declined and majority of them are facing scarcity situation. The traditional water sources are either on the verge of extinction or have dried. Any change in the behaviour of water resources will have adverse impact on the overall economy of the State.

River System Area of Catchment Area in %

Satluj 20,398 30.69

Beas 13,663 24.50

Chenab 7,850 14.20

Ravi 5,528 9.90

Yamuna 5,872 10.60

Major river system and its catchment area in Himachal

Pradesh

1

75

4

6

3

2

EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE WATER RESOURCES

5. Dried traditional sources of water. 6. Decreasing snowfall patterns. 7. Perennial streams have become seasonal.

1. Khatris are no more functional.2. Micro – hydal are under threat.3. Decreasing river discharge.4. Affects the riverine ecology.

3

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON THE GLACIERS

IRS LISS III SATELLITE PICTURE SHOWING GLACIERS IN THE CHANDRA BASIN, HIMACHAL PRADESH

BARA SIGRI GLACIER

IMPACT OF GLOBAL WARMING ON SNOW COVER

* Freezing level increase

* Raise in snow line

* Decrease in snow cover area.

* Reduction of snow cover period

* Excessive build up of moist snow cover on slopes

* May lead to drier conditions in plains

IMPACT OF GLOBAL WARMING ON SNOW COVER

* Moist/Wet snow cover may melt off fast

* Permanent snow cover may become seasonal

* Decrease in snow cover in the northern hemisphere

* Continued warming could melt all the glaciers

* Areas covered by mountain glaciers decreased

* Threat of avalanches, landslides and floods may increase as the snow melts.

Effect of warming: Different Possibilities

* No avalanches because snow bound region may turn up to be rain bound regions which would cause

• Soil erosion• Mass wasting / Landslides

* Excessive wet snow avalanches may lead to • Scouring of soil cover. • Melting of avalanche debris speeds up in valley region• Release of massive avalanches• Forest Destruction

* Wet snow precipitation, may not release as avalancheseasily and as a result snow cover on mountain slopesmay stay for longer duration.

GLACIERS AS THE DIRECT INDICATORS FOR

GLOBAL WARMING

* Glaciers and snow cover studies can be considered as the direct indicators reflecting the rise in

temperature.

• * Evidences of global warming can be reflected by

• (a) Retreat in glacier snouts

• (b) Variation in snow cover extent

• © Formation of moraine dammed lakes

Present status of snow and glaciers in Himachal

Himalaya

Satluj River

Satluj River

Beas River

Chenab River

Ravi River

Tsho Morari lake

Pangong Tso

Pong Dam

Govind Sagar

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

1 : Satluj Basin, 2: Beas Basin, 3 : Baspa Basin, 4: Pin Basin,5 : Spiti Basin, 6 : Jiwa basin7: Parbati Basin, 8 : Miyar Basin9 : Bhaga Basin, 10: Chandra basin11 : Ravi Basin

Indus River

Snow fed basins in Himachal Pradesh

An overview of Snow & Glacier in Himachal Himalaya

Contd…

Distribution of Glaciers & Snowfields in Himachal Himalaya

BASIN NO.OF AERIAL NO.OF AERIAL NAME GLACEIRS EXTENT SNOW

EXTENT(Sq.Km) FIELDS

(Sq.Km.)

Beas Basin 51 503.725 237 312.564

{Parvati Sub Basin 36 450.627 131 188.188

{ Sainj Sub Basin 09 37.255 59 51.934

  Satluj Basin 151 616.299 857 544.173

{ Spiti Sub Basin 71 258.237 597 368.366

{ Baspa Sub Basin 25 203.300 66 64.964

 Chenab Basin 454 1174.5 732 245.000

Contd…

DISTRIBUTION OF GLACIERS ON THE BASIS OF THEIR AERIAL EXTENT IN SATLUJ BASIN

AERIAL RANGE NUMBER OF TOTAL AREA

(SQ.KM.) GLACIERS OF GLACIERS (SQ.KM.)

0.5 41 10.254

0.5-1.0 47 37.167

1.0-2.0 75 108.641

2.0-5.0 92 296.208

5.0-10.0 51 377.649

>10.0 28 687.202

Glacier Area Sq.Km.)

No.of Glaciers

Total Area (Sq.Km.)

<1 244 113.832

1-5 165 394.599

5-10 34 211.284

>10 14 335.612

Distribution of Glaciers in Satluj basin on the basis of their aerial range

Distribution of glaciers in Chenab Basin on the basis of their aerial range

GLACIAL VARIATIONS IN SPITI SUB CATCHMENT OF SATLUJ RIVER BASIN , NW HIMALAYA

Satellite view of the study Area

Fig: Glacier Layer ,Spiti Sub Basin based on SOI,1962/1965

Fig: Spiti Sub Basin, Satluj Catchment, H.P. IRS,1C LISS-III, P96,R48, 01 August 2001

Fig: Spiti Sub Basin, Satluj Catchment, H.P.IRS,1C LISS-III, P96,R48, 18 August 2007

Glacier

Area (sq

km)

No. of

glaciers

in 1962

Area in

(Sq.Km.)

No. of

glaciers in

1993

Area in

(Sq.Km.)

No. of

glaciers in

2001

Area in

(Sq.Km.)

No. of

glaciers in

2007

Area in

(Sq.Km.)

0-1 141 65.18162 60.16 163 85.62 172 73.75

1-3 58 106.9059 112.85 63 110.19 52 91.55

3-5 10 38.7915 58.30 12 46.37 10 38.58

5-10 09 61.1710 77.51 08 60.58 09 67.59

>10 08 105.884 51.13 04 50.74 03 37.94

Total 226 377.92250 359.95 250 353.50 246 309.41

Variations in the Glaciers between 1965,1993,2001 & 2007

Contd…

Glacial Variations in Spiti Sub Catchment of Satluj River Basin, NW Himalaya

53E/13 1962 53E/132001

Temporal Variations between 1962-2011

53E/13 2001 53E/13 2007

Temporal Variations between 1962-2011

2. Determination of glacial retreat using GPS observations

USING REMOTE SENSING DATA AND SOI MAP(52H/11) SNOUT

POSITION:-

SATELLITE DATE SNOUT ALT. SOI SNOUT

DATA ALT.

IRS-1D 27 -08-2001 5080 M 4960 M

FIELD INVESTIGATION:-

SNOUT ALTITUDE OBSERVED = 5062 M

Glacier Snout in the Field

Field Photographs

Field view of Glacier Snout in Sept.2007

Clippings-Glacier Expedition

OBSERVED VARIATIONS ON THE BASIS OF STDUIES CARRIED OUT BY HPRSC AND SAC AHMEDBAD USING SPACE TECHNOLOGY IN HIMACHAL HIMALAYA• GLACIER RETREAT WAS ESTIMATED IN CHENAB, PARBATI & BASPA BASINS

USING TOPOSHEETS OF 1962 AS BASE..• EXPEDITIONS TO CHHOTA SIGRI, SAMADRU TAPU, PARBATI AND SHAUNA

GARANG GLACIERS WERE ORGANIZED TO IDENTIFY THE GLACIER TERMINUS.

• AN OVERALL REDUCTION IN GLACIER AREA FROM 2077 SQ.KM. TO 1628 SQ.KM FROM 1962 , AN OVERALL DEGLACIATION OF 21% OBSERVED.

• NO.OF GLACIER INCREASED DUE TO FRAGMENTATION.• SMALL GLACIERATES AND ICE FIELDS HAVE SHOWN EXTENSIVE

DEGLACIATION.• 127 GLACIERATES AND ICE FIELDS LESS THAN 1 SQ.KM. HAVE SHOWN

RETREAT OF ABOUT 38% SINCE 1962.

• COMBINATION OF GLACIAL FRAGMENTATION, HIGHER RETREAT OF SMALL GLACIER AND CLIMATE CHANGE ARE INFLUENCING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF HIMALAYAN GLACIER.

• Chotta Sigri 6.81 m / year between 1962-95

• Bara Sigri 29.78 m/year between 1906-1995

• Trilokinath 17.86 m/year between 1968-1996

• Beas Kund 18.8 m/year between 1963-2003

• Manimahesh 29.1 m/year between 1968-2005.

• (Based on GSI Database)

Retreat of Glaciers in Himachal Himalayas

SATELLITE VIEW OF CHOTTA SIGRI GLACIER

Field view of Glacier Snout in Sept.2007

FIELD VIEW OF A HANGING GLACIER IN THE BHAGA RIVER BASIN

LOSS IN GLACIER AREA: 1962 - 2001

Glaciers are well distributed by size, type, altitude and debris cover. Area in 1962 and 2001 (LISS-III) observed as 173 and 140 sq. km.,respectively. Overall 19 % loss in glacier area.

Retreat of 1963-1997

Janapa Glacier: 696 mShaune Garang: 923 mJorya Garang : 425 mNaradu Garang: 550 mBilare Bange : 90 m Karu Garang : 800 mBaspa Bamak : 380 m53I01 008 : 585 m

Glacier Retreat monitoring using IRS PAN stereo data

ORTHO-IMAGERY OF JANAPA GLACIER

PARBATI GLACIER, KULLU DISTRICT H. P.

MASSIVE GLACIALRETREAT WASOBSERVED FROMYEAR1962 TO 2000.

1962 : 46.8 sq km2000 : 39.8 sq km

Retreat : 6.8 km178 m /year

4130 m

4200

4400

BASPA BASIN, H.P.

GLACIER NO: 11

GLACIER AREA

1962: 7.1 sq. km.

2001: 5.0 sq. km.

LOSS: 2.1 sq. km.

IRS LISS-III imagery

August 25, 2001.

October 3, 2000.

SATELLITE VIEW OF CHOTTA SIGRI GLACIER

Chhota Sigri glacier as per SOI 1963

Salient feature of Chotta Sigri Glacier

Glacier snout in 1963 4020m

Glacier snout in 2001 4280m

Acc. area(2001) 3.265 sq.km.

Abl.area(2001) 11.49 sq.km.

Total area (2001) 14.75 sq.km.

Total area (1963) 16.00 sq.km.

SOI 1963 Glacier Feeding Miar Nala in L& Spiti

Present Extent on 30August 2001 showing Retreating trend

OBSERVED RETREAT IN THE TRIBUTARY GLACIERS OF MIAR GLACIER

SNOW FIELD IS NO MORE EXISTING NOW

SNOW FIELD AS PER SOI IN 1963

28 Apr 08Total Area under snow cover16649.48 sq. km.

23 Apr 09Total area under snow cover19211.69 sq. km.

Contd…

Seasonal Snow Cover estimation

S. No

DateSnow cover

(sq. km)Snow cover

(%)Oct-10

1 03-Oct-10 582.22 53.122262 08-Oct-10 679.19 61.969893 18-Oct-10 507.34 46.290154 27-Oct-10 859.33 78.40602

Nov-10

106-Nov-

10665.33 60.70529

215-Nov-

10601.81 54.90967

320-Nov-

10746.43 68.10493

430-Nov-

10584.79 53.35675

Dec-10

105-Dec-

10559.57 51.05566

209-Dec-

10560.67 51.15602

314-Dec-

10529.52 48.31387

419-Dec-

10553.25 50.47901

524-Dec-

10578.08 52.74453

629-Dec-

101067.6 97.40876

Jan-111 02-Jan-11 1089.4 99.397812 03-Jan-11 1088.08 99.277373 07-Jan-11 793.39 72.38964 12-Jan-11 822.39 75.035585 27-Jan-11 1030.29 94.004566 31-Jan-11 1057.02 96.44343

Feb-111 01-Feb-11 1012.48 92.37956

Mar-111 15-Mar-11 1037.93 94.701642 30-Mar-11 997.87 91.04653

Apr-111 08-Apr-11 996.64 90.934312 09-Apr-11 956.79 87.298363 13-Apr-11 972.18 88.702554 18-Apr-11 985.6 89.927015 23-Apr-11 944.61 86.187046 28-Apr-11 879.61 80.20073

May-11

103-May-

11837.48 76.41241

212-May-

11777.63 70.95164

317-May-

11729.01 66.51551

422-May-

11509 46.44161

526-May-

11390.48 35.62774

Jun-111 19-Jun-11 440.47 40.188872 20-Jun-11 122.73 11.19799

Sr. No Month Snow Cover (Sq.Km)

1 Oct 2011 262.50 2 Nov 2011 284.00 3 Dec 2011 637.72 4 Jan 2011 1146.38 5 Feb 2011 1272.12 6 Mar 2011 1269.45 7 Apr 2011 1177.25 8 May 2011 1001.88 9 Jun 2011 648.89

Basin Name: Pin Basin Area: 1266 sq Km

Sr. No Month Snow Cover (Sq.Km)

1 Oct 2011 629.67

2 Nov 2011 817.00

3 Dec 2011 1560.00

4 Jan 2011 5451.00

5 Feb 2011 8523.33

6 Mar 2011 8417.33

7 Apr 2011 6119.33

8 May 2011 4636.33

9 Jun 2011 2174.00

Basin Name: Spiti Basin Area: 8871 sq KmBasin Name: Baspa Basin Area: 1096 sq Km

Sr. No Month Snow Cover (Sq.Km)

1 Oct 2011 301.66

2 Nov 2011 237.00

3 Dec 2011 514.00

4 Jan 2011 792.33

5 Feb 2011 1095.33

6 Mar 2011 1045.00

7 Apr 2011 959.00

8 May 2011 841.00

9 Jun 2011 521.67

FORMATION OF MORAINE DAMMED LAKES IS ANOTHER PHENOMENA ASSOCIATED WITH THE GLOBAL WARMING TREND OBSERVED IN THE HIMALAYAS

FOMRATION OF A MORAINE DAMMED LAKE

SATELLITE VIEW OF MORAINE DAMMED LAKE NEAR THE SNOUT OF GEEPANG GATH GLACIER IN THE CHANDRA RIVER BASIN,HIMACHAL PRADESH

Year Aerial Extent (Sq.Km.)

1976 0.27

1990 0.42

1998 0.50

2013 0.81

Photo by : GSI Lucknow

NO LAKE AS PER SOI TOPOSHEET

FORMATION OF LAKES

NEW LAKES & RETREAT IN THE GLACIER EXTENT

NO LAKES & GLACIER EXTENT IN 1963

SATELLITE VIEW OF MORAINE DAMMED LAKE NEAR THE SNOUT OF GEEPANG GATH GLACIER IN THE CHANDRA RIVER BASIN,HIMACHAL PRADESH

Monitoring of Moraine Dammed lakes in Satluj River Basin 2009 onwards

96-48-26-09-2011 LISS III

2007

MONITORING OF MORAINE DAMMED LAKES

2001

1962

Sr.No. Name of the basin

No.of lakes with area >10ha

No.of lakes with area between 5-10 ha

No.of lakes with area <5ha

Total No.of lakes

1 Chenab 03 08 105 116

Bhaga 01 03 10 14

Chandra 02 02 15 19

Miyar ---- 03 80 83

2 Beas 02 02 63 67

Jiwa ---- 02 37 39

Parbati 02 ----- 26 28

Beas ---- ----- ---- Cloud free Data not available

3 Ravi 02 01 19 22

4 Satluj 40 75 276 391

Distribution of lakes in different sub basins in Himachal Pradesh based on LISS III satellite data analysis for 2013. 

MONITORING OF PARECHHU LAKE

IRS P6 LISS-IV MX Parechhu Water spread on

20th June 2009

*The water spread inthe Parechhu lake as on20th June 2009 ismainly confined to thedownstream end of thelake.

•The input and output isnormal.

• The water column isshallow and henceParechhu poses nothreat of any kind.

PARECHHU IN 2001

PARECHHU IN 2007

PARECHHU ON 20 JUNE 2009

400 m

April, 2006

June, 2006 July, 2006 Sept, 2006

Aug, 2004

Pareechu Lake

LISS III 23, May 2012

Normal course of the Pin River

Small stream without debris

IRS LISS III 16 June 2012

Temporary blockage along the Pin River

Small stream with debris

Parechhu as on 16June2012

Cartosat 1-Satellite View of Parehhu Lake as on 22 June 2013

Accumulated water in the depression could be seen mainly on the frontal and left side of the lake.

Inflow is quite normal in nature where as the outflow on the downstream side seems to be accumulating as some debris could be seen on the forntal side along the main stream channel.

As on day, there does not seem any perceptible threat from the Parechhu Lake, but needs proper monitoring from the accumulated water on the downstream side as the snow line is quite low and still melting will take place in the time to come.

 

IRS LISS III Image 05 July 2013

Observations:

On analyzing the satellite data for 05 July 2013, it is found that the accumulated water as on 22 June 2013 has been released as a result the inflow and outflow seems normal. However, it is seen that outflow is overtopping the debris cover as encircled and would be monitored in the next image.

Satellite View of Parechhu Lake as on 5 July 2013

Inflow

Outflow

Landslide Debris

Accumulating Water

On analyzing the AWIFS satellite data for 15 July 2013, it is found that there is a slight increase in the accumulated water in the Parechhu depression i.e lake area in comparison to 5 July 2013. In flow seems to be normal, but the outflow seems to be obstructed due to landslide debris. Slight back water in inflow side could also be seen , but needs further monitoring using high resolution data product.

Satellite view of Parechhu Lake as on 15 July 2013 through IRS AWIFS

Observations: Based on the analysis of the Parechhu lake on satellite data for IRS –RS2-LISS 3-96-48-03 September 2013, the following observations were made:1. Most of the lake depression as on 3rd September 2013, remains free from accumulated water. 2.The accumulated water is mostly on the frontal side of the lake and on the extreme right corner on the top. The central part seems to be free from the accumulated water.3. The input and output seems to normal.4. No fresh debris could be seen on the river course on the downstream side.5. As on day, there does not seem to be any threat from the accumulated water in the lake.

Snout Monitoring, Mapping, Mass and Energy Balance and Assessment of Biophysical Environment of Nardu Glacier, Baspa Basin, District Kinnaur, Himachal PradeshNodal AgencyState Council for Science Technology

& Environment

Collaborating Institute-ISharda University Noida

Collaborating Institute-IINBPGR-Phagli, Shimla

Collaborating Institute-IIISASE,CHANDIGARH

Funding AgencyDeptt. of Science & Technology, GoI,

New Delhi

AWS at the Glacier Site - Nardu Glacier ,Baspa Basin, H.P.

Installation of Stacks for Mass Balance studies on the Glaciers

Contd…

Initiatives taken by the Government of Himachal Pradesh to tackle the issue of climate change in this part of the Himalayan region

In pursuance to the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), Government of H.P. took several actions which includes Himalayan Chief Ministers Conclave on "Indian Himalayas: Glaciers, Climate Change & Livelihoods" held at Shimla on October 29-30,2009.

The recommendations based on the deliberations with policy makers were presented and a declaration entitled “Shimla Declaration on Climate Change and Himalayan Development” was made.

The ‘State Centre on Climate Change’ was established as a follow up of the ‘Shimla Declaration’ under the aegis of the State Council for Science Technology & Environment, Department of Environment, Science & Technology, Himachal Pradesh so that State's initiatives could be dovetailed with the initiatives of Govt. of India.

STATE’S INITIATIVES

The State Government is moving ahead on the path of development with utmost care to ensure that in no way that the environment of the state is disturbed by developmental activities. The State Government has taken several initiatives to protect its environment. Keeping environment protection at the topmost priority, the major initiatives which the Government of H.P. has taken are:

• Himalayan Chief Ministers’ Conclave to discuss the issues concerning climate change.

• Establishment of State Centre on Climate Change.

• Greenhouse Gas (GHGs) Emissions Inventory of the State.

• Reduction of GHG emissions by way of banning fossil fuel and other traditional material for space heating.

• Climate Change Adaptation focused Sustainable Water Resources Strategy for Himachal Pradesh carried by Asian Development Bank.

• To earn revenue through Carbon Credits under Mid-Himalayan Watershed Project.

• Energy Efficiency by promoting CFL through ‘Atal Bijli Bachat Yojna’.

• Community Led Assessment, Awareness, Advocacy Program(CLAP) for Environment Protection & Carbon Neutrality.

• Afforestation scheme viz. Sanjeevani Van –Sanjha Van for the promotion of medicinal herbs.

• Use of plastic in developmental works for road construction as binding material for management of plastic waste.

• Creation of Green Fund as a corpus for environment protection works.

• Awareness programmes on the conservation and management of Biodiversity.

• Awareness programmes on environment conservation through Eco clubs, National Green Corps etc.

• Development of Environment Master Plan for sustainable development.

• Constitution of State Water Management Board.

• Water Conservation (Rain Water Harvesting) mandatory for all type of constructions.

• Construction of atleast one check dam at sub-division level.

• Constitution of State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), State Executive Committee (SEC), & Disaster Management Cell (DMC).

• State Disaster Management Plan is being finalized.

• Training Needs Assessment in Disaster Management proposed for different departments.

Initiatives to combat Hazard Threat

Initiatives for Conservation of Water

Resources

Initiatives for Environment Protection

Initiatives to combat Climate Change

STATE’S INITIATIVES

Contd…..

Follow Up Action

• Government constituted State Council for Climate Change under the Chairpersonship of Worthy Chief Secretary, Himachal Pradesh and Notified vide Notification Number STE-F(1)-12/2008-I

• Set up a State Centre on Climate Change in Himachal Pradesh under the aegis of the State Council for Science Technology & Environment.

• State Action Plan for Climate Change through vulnerability assessment of various sectors at the tehsil level.

THRUST AREAS UNDER SCCC

STATE CENTRE ON CLIMATE CHANGE

NATURAL HAZARD

MANAGEMENT

SNOW & GLACIER STUDIES

Generation of Scientific database in respect of Natural Hazards in H.P.

R & D activities pertaining to seismicity of NW Himalaya particularly in High Seismic Zone, Zone V.

Creation of disaster awareness modules amongst grass root level masses.

Awareness campaigns at different platforms in the state about natural hazards.

Impact of climate Change on the Agriculture

Impact of climate change on the horticulture

Impact of climate change on the ecology & biodiversity

Impact of climate change on the vegetation pattern

Impact of climate change on water resources

CLIMATE CHANGE: Adaptations &

Mitigation Plans

Glacier Mass Balance Snow Hydrology Sediment transfer Meteorology of

Glaciers and Snow Cover Climate Change Glacial Environment Glacial Chemistry Glacial

Inventory/Retreat Remote sensing of

glaciers & snow cover Bed Rock profiling &

Glacier Thickness Glacial Hazards Monitoring of lakes,

GLOFs etc

Institutional Arrangements for carrying research under different sectors

Himalayan Agriculture

Forest Resources and Plant diversity

Water, Snow & Glaciers

Faunal diversity, wild life and animal

population

CSK PALAMPUR

UHF NAUNI

HPU SHIMLA

IHBT PALAMPUR

NBPGR SHIMLA

HFRI SHIMLA

FOREST DEPTT.

SCSTE,SHIMLA

PG COLLEGE DHARAMSHALA