Indus River Research Articles

Ecological-economic assessment of forest land degradation neutrality in the Indus River Basin of Pakistan

Ecological-economic assessment of forest land degradation neutrality in the Indus River Basin of Pakistan

Variations in aridity across the Asia–Australia region during the Neogene and their impact on vegetation

Scientific drilling provides extended records of continental environmental conditions during the Neogene in Asia and northern Australia. Spectral data allow reconstruction of the environment using abundances of hematite and goethite. Hematite formation is favoured by dry or seasonal conditions. Hemipelagic sites show the most regular records. Monsoon strengthening started in the Early Miocene and peaked at 17–20 Ma in the Bay of Bengal and at 10–15 Ma in southern China before weakening after c. 12 Ma and c. 10 Ma, respectively. The Indus Basin dried after c. 8 Ma and again after 3 Ma, while aeolian sediment sources to the Sea of Japan show increased aridity after 5 and 3 Ma. The Mekong Fan indicates increasing aridity after 6 Ma, similar to Eastern Australia. In contrast, NW Australia shows a trend towards wetter conditions after 8 Ma, with a humid period at 4–6 Ma followed by drying. There is a link between drying and vegetation in the Mekong and Pearl River basins, as well as Eastern Australia. Monsoon strengthening is linked to topographic uplift in the Himalaya, together with Tethyan gateway closure. Long-term drying is likely driven by global cooling since the Middle Miocene.

Extending the historical in situ gauge network over Indian river reaches utilizing the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission

ABSTRACT We present a preliminary study on using the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission to extend water surface elevation (WSE) measurements from a sparsely distributed in situ gauge network along a one-dimensional (1D) study reach within the Mahanadi River basin in India. We use the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) simulator to simulate 3 years of synthetic measurements of SWOT WSE, which are assimilated into a 1D stochastic model based on six independent configurations. For each configuration, the model is derived using historical measurements of in situ WSE to simulate daily WSE estimates every 200 m along the study reach. Assimilated outputs showed high Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (0.697–0.811), high correlation (0.838–0.901) and low root mean square error (0.242–0.513 m) with respect to in situ validation data. Results indicate consistent performance of the SWOT-assimilated model framework and are relevant considering the declining availability of in situ monitoring stations.

Petrological evaluation of changes occurring in organic matter sourced from Patala-Chichali sequence, Upper Indus Basin

This study focuses on the determination of organic matter (OM) concentration, thermal maturity assessment, and source rock quality of the samples from the Chichali and Patala formations. The TOC in the Chichali and Patala formations sediment samples ranged from 0.8% to 2.1% and 2.3% to 3.8% respectively, showing the sediments with different level of organic richness. The genetic potential varied from 2.4 to 17.1 mg/g, and 25.2 to 31.1 mg/g indicating the likely source rock quality. The Tmax, ranging from 306 °C to 432 °C, 413 °C and 430 °C indicating immature to mature OM. The HI values varied from 113 to 257 mg/g, 353 to 431 mg/g, OI ranged from 7 to 33 mg/g, 9 to 19 mg/g, revealing OM richness. PI assess the potential productivity of source rocks, ranged from 0.5 to 0.7, 0.6 of Chichali and Patala formations, respectively. The various geochemical properties of the Chichali and Patala formations exhibited their varying geological potential. These findings add to a better knowledge of the geological properties of the Upper Indus Basin and provide significant recommendations for hydrocarbon exploration and resource estimation.

Trace elements in the Upper Indus River Basin (UIRB) of Western Himalayas: Quantification, sources modeling, and impacts

This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of trace element concentrations in the Upper Indus River Basin (UIRB), a glacier-fed region in the Western Himalayas (WH), aiming to discern their environmental and anthropogenic sources and implications. Despite limited prior data, 69 samples were collected in 2019 from diverse sources within the UIRB, including mainstream, tributaries, and groundwater, to assess trace element concentrations. Enrichment factor (EF) results and comparisons with regional and global averages suggest that rising levels of Zn, Cd, and As may pose safety concerns for drinking water quality. Advanced multivariate statistical techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA), absolute principal component scores (APCS-MLR), Monte Carlo simulation (MCS), etc were applied to estimate the associated human health hazards and also identified key sources of trace elements. The 95th percentile of the MCS results indicates that the estimated total cancer risk for children is significantly greater than (>1000 times) the USEPA’s acceptable risk threshold of 1.0 × 10−6. The results classified most of the trace elements into two distinct groups: Group A (Li, Rb, Sr, U, Cs, V, Ni, TI, Sb, Mo, Ge), linked to geogenic sources, showed lower concentrations in the lower-middle river reaches, including tributaries and downstream regions. Group B (Pb, Nb, Cr, Zn, Be, Al, Th, Ga, Cu, Co), influenced by both geogenic and anthropogenic activities, exhibited higher concentrations near urban centers and midstream areas, aligning with increased municipal waste and agricultural activities. Furthermore, APCS-MLR source apportionment indicated that trace elements originated from natural geogenic processes, including rock-water interactions and mineral dissolution, as well as anthropogenic activities. These findings underscore the need for targeted measures to mitigate anthropogenic impacts and safeguard water resources for communities along the IRB and WH.

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Water, Sediment, and Fish Species in Chashma Barrage, Indus River: A Comprehensive Health Risk Assessment.

The increasing levels of heavy metals in aquatic environments, driven by human activities, pose a critical threat to ecosystems' overall health and sustainability. This study investigates the bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Cr, and Cd) in water, sediment, and three fish species (Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala) of different feeding zones within Chashma Barrage, located in the Mianwali district of Punjab, Pakistan, on the Indus River. A comprehensive analysis, including an assessment of associated human health risks, was conducted. Thirty samples from all three sites for each fish species, with an average body weight of 160 ± 32g, were collected from Chashma Barrage. Water quality parameters indicated suitability for fish growth and health. Heavy metal concentrations were determined using an atomic absorption spectrometer. Results indicated elevated levels of Cd, Cr, and Cu in sediment and Pb and Cd in water, surpassing WHO standard limits. Among the fish species, bottom feeder (C. mrigala) exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) higher heavy metal levels in its tissues (gills, liver, and muscle) compared to column feeder (L. rohita) and surface feeder (C. catla). Liver tissues across all species showed higher heavy metal bioaccumulation, followed by gills. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed strong correlations among heavy metals in sediment, gills, muscle, and water in every fish species. However, the vector direction suggests that Cr was not correlated with other heavy metals in the system, indicating a different source. The human health risk analysis revealed lower EDI, THQ, and HI values (< 1) for the fish species, indicating no adverse health effects for the exposed population. The study emphasizes the bioaccumulation differences among fish species, underscoring the higher heavy metal concentrations in bottom feeder fish within Chashma Barrage.

Impact of climate change on water scarcity in Pakistan. Implications for water management and policy

ABSTRACT Water resources in Pakistan are under serious threat from climate change (CC), exacerbating water scarcity. The implications for water policy and management are far-reaching. Pakistan relies heavily on the Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) for agricultural production and water supply, but the distribution and availability of water resources are threatened by changing climatic patterns, such as changing precipitation and melting glaciers. Water scarcity is heightened by faster glacial melt and erratic precipitation patterns, which affect the timing and quantity of water flow. Effective water management techniques, such as increased effectiveness, sustainable practices, and conservation measures, as well as robust infrastructure and governance are required to address these issues. Pakistan can benefit greatly from international cooperation and assistance to mitigate the impacts of CC and ensure water security for long-term development.

Ypresian–Lutetian platform evolution in the Indus Basin, Southwestern Pakistan: An interplay between local and regional tectonic changes

The present investigation aims to analyze the depositional environment, sequence stratigraphy, and geochemistry of the Early–Middle Eocene succession in the Laki Range of the Southern Indus Basin, Pakistan. The sequence is subsequently correlated with other sections within the Southern Indus Basin, Central Indus Basin, Upper Indus Basin, and Hazara Basin in Pakistan. For this study, the Lakhra and Laki formations were sampled from four sections in the Laki Range. Based on detailed outcrop observations, eight lithofacies were identified including four clastic lithofacies (CLF-1 to 4) and four limestone lithofacies (LLF-1 to 4). Similarly, based on detailed petrographic examination, seven microfacies were identified in limestone units. Considering the biotic paleoecology, facies texture, and chemical composition, depositional environments were assigned to the microfacies and lithofacies. All the microfacies, and the shale and sandstone lithofacies (CLF-1 and CLF-4) represent shallow inner to deeper outer-shelf settings whereas the other two lithofacies (CLF-2 and CLF-3) represent deltaic and tidal flat settings, respectively. All the microfacies and lithofacies information was used to establish sequence stratigraphy for the studied strata. The top of the Lakhra Formation and the whole of the Laki Formation in the Bara Nala Section (BNS) represent two complete, and two partial, third-order sequences, further divided into fourth order and small-scale cycles. The sequence's development is primarily influenced by regional and local tectonics. The regional correlation of the Indus Basin and Hazara Basin indicates that the regional basin's bathymetry and resultant depositional sequence were significantly influenced by the Himalayan Orogeny. The regional depositional pattern indicates that subsequent to India–Asia collision, the closure of eastern Tethys took place in a temporal succession from northwestern to the southwestern parts of the Indus Basin. In the Central Indus Basin, marine environments persisted until the Priabonian Stage (SBZ20) compared to those of the Upper (SBZ11–12) and Southern (SBZ13–14) Indus basins. This study offers valuable insights into both the local and regional depositional frameworks and the influence of local and regional tectonics on a carbonate platform evolution.

Catchment-scale assessment of drought impact on environmental flow in the Indus Basin, Pakistan

Abstract. The impact of drought on environmental flow (EF) in 27 catchments of the Indus Basin is studied from 1980–2018 using indicators of hydrologic alterations (IHAs). The standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) was systematically propagated from one catchment to another using principal component analysis (PCA). Threshold regression is used to determine the severity of drought (scenario 1, drought severity that causes low flows) and the month (scenario 2, months where drought has resulted in low flows) that trigger low flows in the Indus Basin. The impact of drought on low EFs is quantified using range of variability analysis (RVA), which is an integrated component of the IHA used to study the hydrological alterations in environmental flow components (EFCs) by comparing the pre- and post-impact periods of human and/or climate interventions in EFCs. The hydrological alteration factor (HAF) is calculated for each catchment in the Indus Basin. The results show that most of the catchments were vulnerable to drought during the periods of 1984 to 1986, 1991/1992, 1997 to 2003, 2007 to 2008, 2012 to 2013, and 2017 to 2018. On a longer timescale (SPEI-12), drought is more severe in the lower Indus Basin (LIB) than in the upper Indus Basin (UIB). The IHA pointed out that drought significantly impacts the distribution of EFCs, particularly extremely low flow (ELF) and low flow (LF). The magnitude and frequency of the ELF and LF events increase as drought severity increases. The threshold regression provided useful insights, indicating that moderate drought can trigger ELF and LF at shorter timescales (SPEI-1 and SPEI-6) in the UIB and middle Indus Basin (MIB). Conversely, severe and extreme droughts trigger ELF and LF at longer timescales (SPEI-12) in the LIB. The threshold regression also divided the entire study period (1980–2018) into different time periods (scenario 2), which is useful for quantifying the impact of drought on low EFs using the SPEI coefficient. Higher SPEI coefficients are observed in the LIB, indicating high alterations in EF due to drought. HAF showed high alterations in EF in most of the catchments throughout the year except in August and September. Overall, this study provided useful insights for analysing the effects of drought on EF, especially during low flows.

Downscaled‐GRACE Data Reveal Anthropogenic and Climate‐Induced Water Storage Decline Across the Indus Basin

AbstractGRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) has been widely used to evaluate terrestrial water storage (TWS) and groundwater storage (GWS). However, the coarse‐resolution of GRACE data has limited the ability to identify local vulnerabilities in water storage changes associated with climatic and anthropogenic stressors. This study employs high‐resolution (1 km2) GRACE data generated through machine learning (ML) based statistical downscaling to illuminate TWS and GWS dynamics across twenty sub‐regions in the Indus Basin. Monthly TWS and GWS anomalies obtained from a geographically weighted random forest (RFgw) model maintained good consistency with original GRACE data at the 25 km2 grid scale. The downscaled data at 1 km2 resolution illustrate the spatial heterogeneity of TWS and GWS depletion within each sub‐region. Comparison with in‐situ GWS from 2,200 monitoring wells shows that downscaling of GRACE data significantly improves agreement with in‐situ data, evidenced by higher Kling‐Gupta Efficiency (0.50–0.85) and correlation coefficients (0.60–0.95). Hotspots with the highest TWS and GWS decline rate between 2002 and 2023 were Dehli Doab (−442, −585 mm/year), BIST Doab (−367, −556 mm/year), Rajasthan (−242, −381 mm/year), and BARI (−188, −333 mm/year). Based on a general additive model, 47%–83% of the TWS decline was associated with anthropogenic stressors mainly due to increasing trends of crop sown area, water consumption, and human settlements. The decline rate of TWS and GWS anomalies was lower (i.e., −25 to −75 mm/year) in upstream sub‐regions (e.g., Yogo, Gilgit, Khurmong, Kabul) where climatic factors (downward shortwave radiations, air temperature, and sea surface temperature) explained 72%–91% of TWS/GWS changes. The relative influences of climatic and anthropogenic stressors varied across sub‐regions, underscoring the complex interplay of natural‐human activities in the basin. These findings inform place‐based water resource management in the Indus Basin by advancing the understanding of local vulnerabilities.

Spatial distribution of physicochemical parameters and drinking and irrigation water quality indices in the Jhelum River, Pakistan.

Sustainable management of river systems is a serious concern, requiring vigilant monitoring of water contamination levels that could potentially threaten the ecological community. This study focused on the evaluation of water quality in the Jhelum River (JR), Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and northern Punjab, Pakistan. To achieve this, 60 water samples were collected from various points within the JR Basin (JRB) and subjected to a comprehensive analysis of their physicochemical parameters. The study findings indicated that the concentrations of physicochemical parameters in the JRB water remained within safety thresholds for both drinking and irrigation water, as established by the World Health Organization and Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency. These physicochemical parameters refer to various chemical and physical characteristics of the water that can have implications for both human health (drinking water) and agricultural practices (irrigation water). The spatial variations throughout the river course distinguished between the upstream, midstream, and downstream sections. Specifically, the downstream section exhibited significantly higher values for physicochemical parameters and a broader range, highlighting a substantial decline in its quality. Significant disparities in mean values and ranges were evident, particularly in the case of nitrates and total dissolved solids, when the downstream section was compared with its upstream and midstream counterparts. These variations indicated a deteriorating downstream water quality profile, which is likely attributable to a combination of geological and anthropogenic influences. Despite the observed deterioration in the downstream water quality, this study underscores that the JRB within the upper Indus Basin remains safe and suitable for domestic and agricultural purposes. The JRB was evaluated for various irrigation water quality indices. The principal component analysis conducted in this study revealed distinct covariance patterns among water quality variables, with the first five components explaining approximately 79% of the total variance. Recommending the continued utilization of the JRB for irrigation, we advocate for the preservation and enhancement of water quality in the downstream regions.

A novel assessment of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in water and sediment samples from the Indus River, Pakistan: An ecological risk assessment approach

Pakistan, a country with limited water resources and highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, faces numerous challenges in managing its water supply. In this sense, this study assessed potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the surface water and sediments of Pakistan's Indus River and its tributaries. Key water quality parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and total dissolved solids (TDS) were determined, with respective average values of 7.1, 40 μS/cm, and 208 mg L−1. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn in surface water samples averaged 26 μg L−1, 0.9 μg L−1, 1.4 μg L−1, 22 μg L−1, and 2.1 μg L−1, respectively. The general sediment PTE profile was Ni > Cd > Zn > Cu > Cr. Certain PTE levels exceeded recommended thresholds, indicating the establishment of environmental pollution. Calculated geo-accumulation index values suggested moderate to heavy pollution levels in sediment, with PERI (404) values reinforcing the ecological risk posed by elevated PTE concentrations. Furthermore, significant correlations were observed between specific PTE pairs in both water and sediment samples. This study contributes with novel insights into the distribution and ecological implications of PTE contamination in the Indus River and its tributaries, paving the way for ecological risk management efforts.

Assessment of metals and other trace elements in the drinking water along River Indus, Allai and Nagar

Trace element contamination in water is a global issue due to its widespread occurrence and health effects. Regular intake of elevated metal levels in drinking water can unequivocally cause several types of cancers. This study was primarily focused to assess the quality of drinking water in Allai, Nagar and along River Indus. So for this study a total of 64 spring, 14 waterfall and 7 glacier water samples were collected. Additionally, 13 sediment samples were also collected from Allai and Nagar which were located in the vicinity of mountainous River Indus, Pakistan. The samples were tested for arsenic, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, potassium, sodium and zinc using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy so as to get the elemental concentrations in parts per billion. The range of metals and other trace elements were compared with the guidelines of World Health Organization (WHO) and the standards laid down by Environmental Protection Agency of Pakistan. The results revealed the (minimum-maximum) concentrations (µg/L) of drinking water quality parameters as follows: arsenic 0-0.06, calcium 1.74-176.87, chromium 0-0, copper 0-0, iron 0-0.25, sodium 1.27-292, potassium 0-24.01, magnesium 0.05-120.22, lead 0-0 and zinc 0-0. Moreover, the (minimum-maximum) concentrations (µg/L) of sediment samples were recorded as arsenic 0-0. 88, calcium 42.98-2068, chromium 0.16-0.65, copper 0.12-1.76, iron 166-544, sodium 8.99-15.36, potassium 35.57-247, magnesium 47.14-453, lead 0-0.23 and zinc 0.67-1.66. The study concluded that all the samples collected from the vicinity of River Indus had elemental concentrations within the recommended guidelines set by the National Drinking Water Quality Standards of Pakistan and WHO. Furthermore, a detailed study encompassing samples from the springs, glaciers, waterfalls and lakes is recommended to evaluate the possible trace element contamination either due to deposition or mixing of metal bearing rocks with water both in the low lying and highland areas of Upper Indus Basin. The outcomes of this research can be useful for the concerned authorities of Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in the provision of safe drinking water to the people living in the vicinity of River Indus, Pakistan.

Comparative evaluation of meteorological and hydrological drought using stationary and non-stationary indices in a semi-arid river basin in India

Comparative evaluation of meteorological and hydrological drought using stationary and non-stationary indices in a semi-arid river basin in India

Influence of SMAP soil moisture retrieval assimilation on runoff estimation across South Asia

This study was designed to characterize and quantify the influence of surface soil moisture assimilation on estimated runoff (surface flow and baseflow) and hydraulically-routed streamflow across three large river basins in South Asia that are at risk of impending water stress. Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) surface soil moisture retrievals were assimilated into the Noah-MP land surface model. The gridded runoff was hydraulically routed to obtain volumetric streamflow values for a river network using a runoff routing module (Hydrological Modeling and Analysis Platform, HyMAP). The open loop (OL, model-only) and data assimilated (DA, includes soil moisture retrieval assimilation) Noah-MP runoff estimates highlighted the improvements in estimated total runoff across irrigated areas. Soil moisture assimilation impacted baseflow more relative to surface runoff. The HyMAP-based OL and DA streamflow generally underestimated the streamflow at upstream stations and overestimated the streamflow at downstream stations within the Indus basin due to missing physics related to reservoir operations. For stations located in the Ganges–Brahmaputra basins, the OL and DA estimation performance varied. The OL and DA results showed that the assimilation of soil moisture retrievals improves gridded runoff and volumetric streamflow across irrigated areas. Considerable relative change in streamflow (>70% increase in magnitude relative to OL) is noted after assimilation across the highly irrigated lower Indus basin and high precipitation regions in Bangladesh. Improving the modeling system’s representativeness of ground conditions via inclusion of water management information could improve large-scale streamflow modeling across South Asia.

Identifying the Influence of Fluoride Mobilization Mechanism on Groundwater Quality Dynamics of Sanghar District, Lower Indus Basin

Identifying the Influence of Fluoride Mobilization Mechanism on Groundwater Quality Dynamics of Sanghar District, Lower Indus Basin

Smectite Illitization Geothermometry of the Upper Indus Basin Hydrocarbon Source Rocks (Pakistan)

Abstract —Smectite illitization geothermometry has been used to assess the thermal maturity and hydrocarbon generation potential of the late Paleocene to early Eocene Patala Formation in the Upper Indus Basin. X-ray diffraction (XRD) detected illite, muscovite, quartz, kaolinite, chlorite, and calcite. Comparison between air-dried (AD) and ethylene glycol (EG)-solvated XRD patterns reveals the absence of discrete smectite and interstratified illite-smectite (I-Sm). Additionally, authigenic illite-2M1 indicates that the Patala Formation has entered the late-stage diagenetic zone or the low anchizone, which lies in the R3 illitization zone. Abundant SiO2 and Al2O3 in the Patala clay fraction indicate the substitution of tetrahedral Si4+ by Al3+ within the smectite interlayers. Likewise, the relative abundance of K2O to CaO and MgO indicates the exchange of K+ with Ca2+ and Mg2+ during smectite illitization. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals in situ growth of platy illite crystals that form within the R3 zone. Furthermore, the total organic carbon (TOC) of the Patala shale exposed in Tirah suggests a poor to good source rock. The absence of discrete smectite and I-Sm, combined with the detection of discrete illite in the Patala shale, suggests that hydrocarbon might have potentially migrated from the source to the reservoir rock during smectite illitization.

A novel insight on input variable and time lag selection in daily streamflow forecasting using deep learning models

This study investigates the feasibility of using hybrid models namely Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), for short-to-medium range streamflow forecasting in the Mahanadi River basin in India. The performance of these hybrid models is compared with that of standalone models. It investigates the impact of selected parameters and associated time lags on the model performance and offers valuable insights into the use of hybrid models for runoff simulation. The hybrid CNN-LSTM model proves to be robust in capturing the overall time series and the typical high peak flows in both the correlation-based and constant lag cases. Also, the upstream discharges play a significant role in improving the streamflow forecasting. Furthermore, the consideration of all input variables with a constant time lag equal to the basin lag time may yield better flood forecasts, even in cases where computational resources are limited.

Evaluating the comprehensive flood impact assessment on the head reach of the Chiniot dam project

The major sources of surface water available to Pakistan are perennial flows of the River Indus and its tributaries i.e. Jhelum and Chenab Rivers. The creation of a reservoir of 0.9 MAF Capacity will cause the water level to rise and reduction in flow velocity on the Chenab River upstream of Chiniot Bridge. Consequently, it will cause sediment deposition which would further increase the water level due to the raised river bed level by deposited sediments. To study this storage, the reservoir has been modelled in HEC-RAS software to assess pre-dam and post-dam scenarios to simulate different conditions of river flow for water surface profile and sediment delta modelling of the reservoir reach, using historical daily water and sediment flows (1985–2022). The results of flood routing showed that the reservoir has attenuated the peak flood volume with safe releases at downstream side with proper operation of spillway gates. The average sediment inflow in the reservoir is worked out to be 38.4 metric tons. The results of sediment modelling and reservoir flood management indicated that after every 05 years of normal reservoir operation, reservoir flushing is recommended. Without sediment flushing, the river bed would be further raised beyond 189.0 m due to incoming sediment, resulting in further rise of water level up to 192.8 m which is the existing crest level of upstream training works of Talibwala Motorway Bridge.

A combined tectono-climatic control on Holocene sedimentation in Ladakh Himalaya, India: Clues from Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) of lake sediments

Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) data from a ∼27.8 m thick soft sedimentary mud sequence (∼10.5–3.25 k yrs) from the Spituk Palaeolake Sequence (SPSS) of Holocene age, located in the northern bank of the Indus River in the Leh-Ladakh Himalaya, show effects of tectonic versus climate dynamics responsible for the Himalayan sedimentation. The sedimentary sequence, consisting of alternating of aeolian sand and glacio-fluvial mud flow deposits, has been subdivided into an older Last Glacier Phase I (LGP 1) and a younger Last Glacier Phase II (LGP 2), where the termination of each phase is marked by the occurrence of gravel beds of thickness ≤1 m, which were deposited due to glacial melting. The present AMS data along with previously published information on sedimentology confirm that the mudflow deposits of the LGP 1 and LGP 2 phases were deposited in a lacustrine environment under glacio-fluvial conditions. However, a weak fluvial flow towards NW and NE could have existed for the LGP 1 and LGP 2, respectively. The glacial beds terminating LGP 1 and LGP 2 appear to have formed by climatic warming and tectonic activity, respectively. Hence, the Holocene Himalayan sedimentation was influenced by both climatic and tectonic activities. However, the thickness of the gravel bed (∼0.8 m) terminating LGP 2 occupies only ∼ 2.8 vol % of the total studied thickness ∼28 m, of the SPSS in the present study, which indicated a lesser control of tectonism in the growth of the Himalaya in and around the study area.