Back to news
14 Aug 2015 | News

Glacier and glacial lakes database of Bhutan released

1 min Read

70% Complete

Dignitaries and scientists gathered for a workshop 14th August 2015 at the Department of Hydro-Met Services (DHMS), in Thimphu, Bhutan to disseminate preliminary findings of the DHMS-lead field expedition to investigate recent glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) in the headwater of Mo Chu. The expedition assessed future risks from the breached lake and other glacial lakes in the adjacent valley. The event was attended by Norbu Wangchuk, Minister of Economic Affairs (MoEA) of the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGOB). Mr. Karma Tsering, Director, DHMS presented and ICIMOD experts on Cryosphere Monitoring Programme presented their fieldwork and findings. Dr. Arun Bhakta Shrestha, Programme Manager, Cryosphere and Atmosphere Programme and Mr. Pradeep Mool, Programme Coordinator of Cryosphere Monitoring Progamme (CMP) briefed the participants on Cryosphere Monitoring activities implemented by ICIMOD in the region, and ongoing Cryosphere Monitoring Progamme – Bhutan (CMP-B) respectively.
Wangchuk released the decadal database of glacier and glacial lakes of Bhutan Himalaya, database jointly developed by ICIMOD and DHMS under the ongoing CMP-B project. The database packaged in DVDs and pen drives comprised four decades of glacier data (1980- 2010) and three decades of glacial lake data (1990-2014) based on remote sensing approach. The consistent data source of Landsat images and methodology adopted for generating the database provides a basis for change analysis over the decades. The mapping of glaciers and glacial lakes is a part of an on-going CMP-B four-year (2014-2017) joint project between DHMS and ICIMOD with funding support from the Royal Norwegian Government.
During the opening remarks, Wangchuk emphasised the need for sound scientific studies to further the understanding of climate change, its associated impacts, and the challenges posed while formulating adaptation measures. Wangchuk emphasised “science with policy” with regard to the importance of Bhutan Himalaya snow and glaciers and their direct link to the country’s socio-economic development, specifically hydropower and agriculture.

Stay current

Stay up to date on what’s happening around the HKH with our most recent publications and find out how you can help by subscribing to our mailing list.

Sign Up

Related Contents

Continue exploring this topic

2 Jan 2015 News
“Good science a must to address climate change in the HKH region”

  Speaking at the Sixth People’s SAARC Conference organized by the Nepal Chapter of Nature-Human Centric People’s Movement in Kathmandu, Nepal ...

21 Jun 2017 Atmosphere Initiative
ICIMOD Supports National Action Plan for SLCPs Mitigation in Nepal

As the issue if SLCPs is a recent one, Nepal does not have policies that specifically address it. The Atmosphere ...

Addressing water stress in Ramechhap

Ramechhap District in Nepal is plagued by acute water paucity. Desertification and haphazard development activities have caused traditional ponds and ...

18 Jul 2019 News
Combining top–down and bottom–up: Designing a watershed management plan for Dhankuta Municipality

In the first consultation meeting with the vice mayor, there was a consensus that the conservation of water sources is ...

30 Dec 2015 Himalica
Developing Community-led Micro-plans for Improving Livelihoods and Climate Change Adaptation

As a strategy for ensuring the sustainability of Himalica pilot interventions on livelihood improvement and climate change adaptation, Himalica supported ...

30 Jun 2017 KSL
KSLCDI Receives Special Grant Spotlight

The Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KSLCDI)’s efforts to link cultural heritage with conservation and development has received ...

23 Jul 2015 News
Expanding commercial banana production in Nepal

Using ecological niche modelling to guide farmers and the Government of Nepal.  Banana is a high-value agricultural product and ...

29 May 2017 Himalica
Vegetable Collection Center Launched in Bagaha, Udayapur

Himalica’s pilot project in Udayapur has been training farmers on climate-smart agricultural practices and technologies that can strengthen vegetable value ...