Abstract
Abstract. remote-sensing based consistent semi-automated glacier mapping methodology with minimum manual intervention has been developed at ICIMOD. Using this methodology the glaciers of Hindu Kush Himalayan region were mapped in 2011 and continuously used for glacier mapping and monitoring in the region. These data were freely available to download from ICIMOD portal and GLIMS database. These comprehensive glacier information are the only data which is being used for research and development projects for countries like Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan. Recently decadal glacier change from 1980 to 2010 of Nepal and Bhutan were published to understand the glacier change in the Himalaya. The decadal change assessment will be continued in other basins of HKH region to understand the glacier change. Due to rugged terrain, remote access, and logistic hindrance field verification is a challenging task and can be limited only in selected glaciers. Geodetic mass balance study in the selected glaciers like in Yala of Langtang basin and Rikha Samba of Hidden valley are on progress complement to field validation. High resolution images, lack of hydro-meteorological stations near to the glacier and limited competent manpower are another hindrance in the study of glacier change of the HKH region.
Highlights
The Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region do stand-in as a fresh water tower of south Asia due to reside of high concentration of snow and glaciers at the watershed
This paper describes the understanding and behavior of ice dynamics through time and challenges faced in remote sensing technologies for monitoring glaciers
This study focused on three regions for decadal glacier analysis: Shyok valley, a part of Karakoram which covers the eastern part of the Upper Indus basin, Wakhan Corridor located on the northern side of Hindu Kush, Nepal and Bhutan in the eastern Himalaya
Summary
The Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region do stand-in as a fresh water tower of south Asia due to reside of high concentration of snow and glaciers at the watershed. The Himalayan glaciers had retreated remarkably in the past two decades (Bajracharya et al, 2007, 2014a, b; Fujita et al, 2001) and area loss rates have accelerated in recent decades due to climate change (Bajracharya et al, 2009; Bolch et al, 2012). It is still ambiguous which climatic parameter is playing a key role in the glaciers retreat, the current glacier retreat in the Himalayas is due to the combined effect of reduced precipitation and warmer temperature (Ren et al, 2006). The bigger concern in the HKH region is the lack of long term information on glaciers at the regional level for any kind of credible assessment
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