Training on Application of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems for Mapping and Monitoring of Glaciers

Background

Alpine eco-systems are sensitive to global temperature rise and have been a focus of climate change research. As resources of fresh water, the cryosphere as a whole, and glaciers in particular, have drawn much interest from the scientific community. With the national economy reliant on hydropower, change in glacial environment and concomitant change in melt water volume is a matter of paramount importance to Nepal. Accounting for glacier area change over spatial and temporal domain is the basis for comprehension climate change impact on glacial environment and subsequent changes in melt water. However, mapping and monitoring of glaciers is only practically possible using remote sensing (RS) and allied tools due to challenging terrain.

The training aims to build capacity of national partners on the use of RS and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for glacier mapping and monitoring, an activity under Cryosphere Monitoring Programme (CMP) of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). The five-day training is to impart skills and knowledge of RS and GIS with particular focus on glacier mapping and monitoring.

Objective

Long term objective of the training is to enhance capacity of Kathmandu University, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), Tribhuvan University, Water and Energy Commission Secretarial (WECS) and other project partners to monitor and assess cryosphere in the context of climate change. The immediate objective is to build capacity on the use of RS and GIS for glacier mapping and monitoring.

Targeted participant

The training is targeted for professionals working for agencies engaged in glacier and water resource management and research. Water resource engineers, researchers from academia, and those with interest to learn use of RS and GIS for mapping are targeted group of participants. Some basic knowledge of RS and GIS is desirable but not compulsory.

Expected outcome

At the end of the training, participants are expected to know the basics of RS and GIS, and use of these tools for mapping glaciers. The training is designed to impart know-how on glacier data analysis and assessment.

Training program

The training is designed to introduce participants to basics of RS and GIS in first two days, followed by application of the same for glacier mapping in next three days.