What is climate change and will be its effect the Himalayan glaciers? A look at what are the reasons for concerns, will it lead to more extreme weather events and what the future climate will be like.

1. Impact of Climate Change
on Himalayan Glaciers &
the climate induced
hazards and the initiatives
taken by the Government
of Himachal Pradesh
Dr. S.S.Randhawa
Sr. Scientific Officer
State Centre on Climate Change
(State Council for Science, Technology & Environment)
.

2. 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.

3. Five Questions
about 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 ?

4. Is the Earth warming?
Really? Yes, really.

5. Ozone Layers
(0-15
km)
(50-90 km)
(15-50 km)

6. Greenhouse effect

7. Four Major Greenhouse
Gases

8. Greenhouse gases on the Rise

9. 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

10. 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%

11. Climatic Change
How 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

12. HOW WILL IT AFFECT US
?

14. CLIMATE CHANGE – A HIMALAYAN PERSPECTIVE
Climate 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.

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. FORESTS
Forests 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.
UPWARDSHIFTOFTREELINE

20. EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
INVASION OF PINE INTO OAK/DEODAR DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTING FODDER AVAILABILITY FOR
LIVESTOCK & PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD
Year
No. 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)

21. 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

22. WATER RESOURCES
Climate 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

23. 1
7
5
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

24. CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON THE
GLACIERS
IRS LISS III SATELLITE PICTURE SHOWING GLACIERS IN
THE CHANDRA BASIN, HIMACHAL PRADESH
BARA SIGRI
GLACIER

25. 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

26. 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.

27. 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 avalanches
easily and as a result snow cover on mountain slopes
may stay for longer duration.

28. 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

29. Present status of snow and glaciers
in Himachal Himalaya

31. 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 basin
7: Parbati Basin, 8 : Miyar Basin
9 : Bhaga Basin, 10: Chandra basin
11 : Ravi Basin
Snow fed basins in Himachal Pradesh

32. An overview of Snow & Glacier in
Himachal Himalaya
Contd…

33. 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…

34. 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

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

36. Satellite view of the study Area

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

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

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

41. 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 65.18 162 60.16 163 85.62 172 73.75
1-3 58 106.90 59 112.85 63 110.19 52 91.55
3-5 10 38.79 15 58.30 12 46.37 10 38.58
5-10 09 61.17 10 77.51 08 60.58 09 67.59
>10 08 105.88 4 51.13 04 50.74 03 37.94
Total 226 377.92 250 359.95 250 353.50 246 309.41
Variations in the Glaciers between
1965,1993,2001 & 2007

42. Contd…
Glacial Variations in Spiti Sub
Catchment of Satluj River Basin,
NW Himalaya

43. 53E/13 1962 53E/132001
Temporal Variations between 1962-2011

44. 53E/13 2001 53E/13 2007
Temporal Variations between 1962-2011

45. 2. Determination of glacial retreat using GPS
observations

46. 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

47. Glacier Snout in the Field
Field
Photographs

48. Field view of Glacier Snout in Sept.2007

49. Clippings-Glacier
Expedition

50. 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.

52. • 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

53. Field view of Glacier Snout in Sept.2007

54. FIELD VIEW OF A HANGING GLACIER IN THE BHAGA RIVER BASIN

55. 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
.

56. Retreat of 1963-1997
Janapa Glacier: 696 m
Shaune Garang: 923 m
Jorya Garang : 425 m
Naradu Garang: 550 m
Bilare Bange : 90 m
Karu Garang : 800 m
Baspa Bamak : 380 m
53I01 008 : 585 m
Glacier Retreat
monitoring using
IRS PAN stereo data
ORTHO-IMAGERY OF JANAPA GLACIER

57. PARBATI GLACIER, KULLU DISTRICT H. P.
MASSIVE
GLACIAL
RETREAT WAS
OBSERVED
FROM
YEAR
1962 TO 2000.
1962 : 46.8 sq
km
2000 : 39.8 sq
km
Retreat : 6.8 km
178 m /year
4130 m
4200
4400

58. 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.

59. 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.

60. SOI 1963 Glacier Feeding
Miar Nala in L& Spiti
Present Extent on
30August 2001 showing
Retreating trend

61. OBSERVED RETREAT IN THE TRIBUTARY GLACIERS OF
MIAR GLACIER

62. SNOW FIELD IS NO
MORE EXISTING NOW
SNOW FIELD AS
PER SOI IN 1963

63. 28 Apr 08
Total Area under snow cover
16649.48 sq. km.
23 Apr 09
Total area under snow cover
19211.69 sq. km.
Contd…
Seasonal
Snow Cover
estimation
S. No Date Snow cover (sq. km) Snow cover (%)
Oct-10
1 03-Oct-10 582.22 53.12226
2 08-Oct-10 679.19 61.96989
3 18-Oct-10 507.34 46.29015
4 27-Oct-10 859.33 78.40602
Nov-10
1 06-Nov-10 665.33 60.70529
2 15-Nov-10 601.81 54.90967
3 20-Nov-10 746.43 68.10493
4 30-Nov-10 584.79 53.35675
Dec-10
1 05-Dec-10 559.57 51.05566
2 09-Dec-10 560.67 51.15602
3 14-Dec-10 529.52 48.31387
4 19-Dec-10 553.25 50.47901
5 24-Dec-10 578.08 52.74453
6 29-Dec-10 1067.6 97.40876
Jan-11
1 02-Jan-11 1089.4 99.39781
2 03-Jan-11 1088.08 99.27737
3 07-Jan-11 793.39 72.3896
4 12-Jan-11 822.39 75.03558
5 27-Jan-11 1030.29 94.00456
6 31-Jan-11 1057.02 96.44343
Feb-11
1 01-Feb-11 1012.48 92.37956
Mar-11
1 15-Mar-11 1037.93 94.70164
2 30-Mar-11 997.87 91.04653
Apr-11
1 08-Apr-11 996.64 90.93431
2 09-Apr-11 956.79 87.29836
3 13-Apr-11 972.18 88.70255
4 18-Apr-11 985.6 89.92701
5 23-Apr-11 944.61 86.18704
6 28-Apr-11 879.61 80.20073
May-11
1 03-May-11 837.48 76.41241
2 12-May-11 777.63 70.95164
3 17-May-11 729.01 66.51551
4 22-May-11 509 46.44161
5 26-May-11 390.48 35.62774
Jun-11
1 19-Jun-11 440.47 40.18887
2 20-Jun-11 122.73 11.19799

64. 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 Km
Basin 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

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

66. FOMRATION OF A MORAINE DAMMED LAKE

67. 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

68. Photo by : GSI Lucknow

69. NO LAKE AS PER SOI
TOPOSHEET
FORMATION OF LAKES

70. NEW LAKES & RETREAT IN
THE GLACIER EXTENT
NO LAKES & GLACIER
EXTENT IN 1963

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

77. Monitoring of Moraine Dammed
lakes in Satluj River Basin 2009
onwards
96-48-26-09-2011 LISS III

78. 2007
MONITORING OF
MORAINE DAMMED
LAKES
2001
1962

79. 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.

80. MONITORING OF PARECHHU LAKE

81. IRS P6 LISS-IV MX Parechhu Water spread on
20th June 2009
*The water spread in
the Parechhu lake as on
20th June 2009 is
mainly confined to the
downstream end of the
lake.
•The input and output is
normal.
• The water column is
shallow and hence
Parechhu poses no
threat of any kind.
PARECHHU IN
2001
PARECHHU IN
2007
PARECHHU ON
20 JUNE 2009

82. 400 m
April, 2006
June, 2006 July, 2006 Sept, 2006
Aug, 2004
Pareechu Lake

83. LISS III 23, May 2012
Normal course
of the Pin River
Small stream
without debris

84. IRS LISS III 16 June 2012
Temporary
blockage along
the Pin River
Small stream
with debris

85. Parechhu as on 16June2012

86. 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.

87. 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 andSatellite View of Parechhu Lake as on 5 July
2013

88. Inflo
w
Outflo
w
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

89. 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.

90. Snout Monitoring, Mapping, Mass and
Energy Balance and Assessment of
Biophysical Environment of Nardu
Glacier, Baspa Basin, District Kinnaur,
Himachal Pradesh
Nodal Agency
State Council for Science Technology & Environment
Collaborating Institute-I
Sharda University Noida
Collaborating Institute-II
NBPGR-Phagli, Shimla
Collaborating Institute-III
SASE,CHANDIGARH
Funding Agency
Deptt. 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…

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

92. 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.

93. 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

94. 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.

95. 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

96. 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