Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 23 Jul: Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST), Dehradun, organised an expert lecture on “Monitoring Himalayan Glaciers and Climate Change-Induced Cryospheric Hazards Using Ground- and Space-Based Observations”. The programme was conducted on 22 July under UCOST’s “Maa Dhara Naman and Water Education Programme”.
On this occasion, the Director General of UCOST, Prof Durgesh Pant, emphasised the critical need for maximum utilisation of science and technology in research and monitoring activities related to glaciers.
The programme coordinator, Dr Bhavtosh Sharma, Scientist at UCOST, highlighted the objectives and activities of the “Maa Dhara Naman Programme” and the “Water Education Programme”. He stated that under the Water Education Programme, expert lectures are organised periodically, with active participation from students, teachers, and scientists from various institutions.
The subject expert for the session, Dr Manish Mehta, Senior Scientist at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, delivered a detailed lecture on the topic. In his address, he discussed the current status of Himalayan glaciers, ongoing research studies, changes in snow mass, and the formation of glacial lakes due to glacier melting. He also elaborated on hazards such as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and highlighted the impacts of climate change on glaciers.
The programme witnessed participation from students across various mountainous and remote districts of Uttarakhand through both offline and online modes, often in groups via their respective schools. Students, teachers, and scientists actively engaged in the session and had their queries addressed.
Dr DP Uniyal, Joint Director at UCOST, encouraged students to engage in scientific studies of the Himalayan region through the use of modern technology also to provide the disaster management trainings to students through departments concerned.
During the programme, environmentalist JP Maithani, founder of the Aagaas organisation from Chamoli, shared insights into his work in the Himalayan region. He also suggested incorporating topics related to Himalayan glaciers and disaster management into academic curricula.
Dr Bhavtosh Sharma further emphasised the importance of enhancing awareness and promoting community participation in disaster management in the Himalayan region, along with the positive use of technology.
More than 300 participants attended the programme through both online and offline modes. The session was conducted by Dr Bhavtosh Sharma, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Om Prakash Nautiyal, Scientist at UCOST.
