Back to news
14 Jul 2020 | News

A new high for HKH research: Our partnership with National Geographic Society

1 min Read

70% Complete
Bringing HKH into the limelight
Tenzing Inka Nat Geo 2019 Heather Clifford
Bringing HKH into the limelight
Bringing HKH into the limelight
Tenzing Inka Nat Geo 2019 Heather Clifford 2

Photograph #1

A street performer around Bath Abbey.

Photograph #2

A street performer around Bath Abbey.

Photograph #3

A street performer around Bath Abbey.

Photograph #4

A street performer around Bath Abbey.

In 2019, National Geographic Society (NGS) undertook an expedition to Everest which included ICIMOD among a number of partners. This expedition included work on the highest glacier in world, Khumbu glacier, where ice samples were collected and multiple scientific research projects were conducted. Significantly adding to data availability, the expedition also involved the installation of five automatic weather stations (AWS) on Everest, with the highest installed at “The Balcony” at 8430m and the “South Col” 7945m. The AWS on The Balcony is now officially the highest AWS in the world.

We contributed to the NGS comprehensive map of Asia’s vital rivers building on scientific work to develop the first ever Water Tower Index. This collaboration with NGS complemented ICIMOD’s long-term effort of drawing much-needed global attention to climate change impacts in the HKH. It has also resulted in a range of communication products which will help highlight the value and vulnerability of the region.

Multiple academic papers are expected be published based on the data and information from the expedition. The July issue of National Geographic Magazine and the National Geographic TV Channel have featured the expedition. In addition, footage and photographs from the expedition are also being used to create educational materials, where ICIMOD researchers Inka Koch and Tenzing Sherpa are featured explaining AWS networks and how mapping helps us understand glacier and other environmental change in the region.

Here are some links to what has come out of this partnership so far:

Mapping change at the roof of the world
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/mapping-change-roof-world/

Inside the Everest expedition that built the world’s highest weather station https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/2019/06/mount-everest-highest-weather-station/

Asia’s Vital Rivers
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2020/07/asias-vital-rivers-perpetual-feature/

The world’s supply of fresh water is in trouble as mountain ice vanishes https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/12/water-towers-high-mountains-are-in-trouble-perpetual/  (See also, Importance and vulnerability of the world’s water towers: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1822-y)

How alpine species are adapting to climate change https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/2020/06/perpetual-planet-nepal-alpine-species/

National Geographic Perpetual Planet
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/perpetual-planet/

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
6 Apr 2016 News
MAIL of Afghanistan: Creating Stronger Collaborative Partnerships

The first stakeholder coordination committee meeting of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation & Livestock (MAIL) was held on 2 March 2016 at ...

12 Apr 2016 News
ADAPTHIMAL Partners on the Job Training at ICIMOD

Partners Uttarakhand Gramya Vikas Samiti, Integrated Livelihood Support Project (UGVS-ILSP), India and High Value Agriculture Project in Hill ...

12 May 2017 HICAP
ICIMOD Knowledge Products Launched at IPCC Event in Kathmandu, Nepal

Adaptation Solution Brief: Strengthening women’s roles as risk and resource managers at the frontline of climate change Launched by Nand Kishor ...

10 Jun 2015 News
Myanmar to lead the way with ecotourism in protected areas

On 19–21 May 2015, the Government of Myanmar launched its ambitious Ecotourism Policy and Management Strategy for Protected Areas, developed ...

10 Jun 2016 News
Heat Measurement Campaigns Ongoing In India, Pakistan And Bangladesh

Extreme heat conditions in South Asia are making the headlines for the second year in a row (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/20/india-records-its-hottest-day-ever-as-temperature-hits-51c-thats-1238f?). The HI-AWARE ...

15 Apr 2015 News
Symposium on glaciology in Asia

The glaciers and rivers of the world’s highest mountains took the ...

10 Jun 2018 HI-LIFE
HILIFE team conducts ethnobotanical study in nine villages in Myanmar

The study was conducted with a joint team from the Forest Department (FD) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and ...