BANGALORE: A comprehensive study of Isro satellite images reveals 75% of Himalayan glaciers are on the retreat, with the average shrinkage being 3.75km during the 15 years under study. The grim findings come after raging controversy over claims in the 2007 IPCC report of Himalayan glaciers disappearing by 2035, which were later retracted.
The project, which studied 2,190 glaciers, was commissioned by the ministry of environment and forests and department of space to break myths about the disappearance of Himalayan glaciers. However, the findings are sure to raise concern over the health of Asia's 'water towers'.
"I can't say we are in a comfortable position because you can see that 75% of the glaciers have retreated. Only 8% have advanced and 17% are stable. We are going to publish the data soon, probably in the Current Science journal," said Dr Ajai, group director, Marine, Geo and Planetary Science Group (MPSG), Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, on Saturday in Bangalore. Detailed charts showing the retreat and images were also displayed at the Isro campus.
The study used satellite images taken by Resourcesat-1 over a period of 15 years (1989-2004). Around 50 experts and 14 organizations were involved in the project which included field trips.
Organisations that were part of a comprehensive study on Himalayan glaciers included G B Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kashmir University and Jawaharlal Nehru University. The experts also physically visited the glaciers to compare the study results.
The project, which studied 2,190 glaciers, was commissioned by the ministry of environment and forests and department of space to break myths about the disappearance of Himalayan glaciers. However, the findings are sure to raise concern over the health of Asia's 'water towers'.
"I can't say we are in a comfortable position because you can see that 75% of the glaciers have retreated. Only 8% have advanced and 17% are stable. We are going to publish the data soon, probably in the Current Science journal," said Dr Ajai, group director, Marine, Geo and Planetary Science Group (MPSG), Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, on Saturday in Bangalore. Detailed charts showing the retreat and images were also displayed at the Isro campus.
The study used satellite images taken by Resourcesat-1 over a period of 15 years (1989-2004). Around 50 experts and 14 organizations were involved in the project which included field trips.
Organisations that were part of a comprehensive study on Himalayan glaciers included G B Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kashmir University and Jawaharlal Nehru University. The experts also physically visited the glaciers to compare the study results.
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