Estimation of glacial retreat and mass loss in Baspa basin, Western Himalaya

Abstract

Glaciers are one of the valuable natural resources in Indian Himalaya. A large number of people depend on glacier melt for social and industrial activities. Therefore, monitoring the glacial changes becomes crucial. In the present study, retreat and mass balance of 19 glaciers in Baspa basin were analysed. An overall de-glaciation of 24 % (41.1 ± 8.37 km2) was observed between 1962 and 2014. Mass balance was estimated by Accumulation Area Ratio and Equilibrium Line Altitude (ELA) methods. The mean ELA estimate varies between 5147 ± 178 and 5405 ± 173 m. Negative mass balance was observed and the estimated mass loss is 3.6 mega tonne (3.6 × 106 m3), for a period of 9 years between 1998 and 2014. In addition, temperature and precipitation data obtained at Rackham observatory (3050 m) were analysed for a period of 29 years, between 1984 and 2013. The analysis showed an increasing trend in annual mean temperature, decreasing trend in precipitation and a higher rise in minimum temperatures of both summer and winter. Thus, the overall observations suggest continuous loss of glacier area and mass, which may influence the glacier’s health and run-off in Baspa basin.