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Training on
River Basins and Cryosphere
Kathmandu University and Ponkar Glacier
02 December 2022 to 14 December 2022
Organisers: ICIMOD and Kathmandu University
We are collaborating with Kathmandu University to organise a training on the use of the latest remote sensing tools for cryosphere monitoring, followed by fieldwork in Ponkar Glacier, Manang, Nepal. The team will be collecting mass balance data and use lessons from the training to collect data and monitor changes. During the training, participants will explore the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). These are tools used by cryosphere scientists to assess the surface and internal dynamics of a glacier. Further, these tools collect data on the status of the glacier surface – a repeat survey is required to monitor changes over a period.
15 participants representing partner officials from Bhutan, Nepal, India, and Pakistan are expected to attend the training
ICIMOD has been exploring the use of the latest remote sensing and GIS tools to collect information on glaciers, glacial lakes, snow cover, and other features of the cryosphere especially related to hazards.
The most advanced technology to capture ultra-high-resolution images and ortho-photos is the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) – also known as drone. Since 2014, ICIMOD has been using UAVs to map and monitor glaciers, glacial lakes, and geohazard risks and supported urban mapping for national and international partners.
ICIMOD in collaboration with Kathmandu University has been monitoring Ponkar Glacier since 2016. The glacier located on the north-eastern side of Manang valley, northwest of Kathmandu is a debris-covered glacier. Ponkar is at a lower elevation than most glaciers in the HKH region, relatively accessible and making it an ideal glacier for capacity building activities. The last fieldwork in Ponkar Glacier was carried out in 2018.
2-3 December 2022
Session I: Opening session
Time
Programme
Speakers/resource persons
08:45–09:15
Registration
09:15–09:45
Welcome and opening remarks
Arun Shrestha, Regional Programme Manager, River Basins and Cryosphere Programme, ICIMOD (online) (5 min)
Rijan Bhakta Kayastha, Kathmandu University (5 min)
Introduction to river basins and cryosphere research
Overview of the training
Miriam Jackson, Programme Coordinator, Cryosphere Initiative, ICIMOD (online) (5 min)
Overview of the training – Sharad Joshi, Cryosphere Analyst, ICIMOD (5 min)
Introduction of participants (10 min)
09:45–10:00
Group photo and tea/coffee break
Session II: Technical session (Presentation cum practical exercise)
10:00–10:30
Introduction to UAVs and its application on research activities; use of GNSS
Sudan Bikash Maharjan, Remote Sensing Analyst, ICIMOD
10:20–10:40
Introduction to GNSS and survey methods
Tenzing Chogyal Sherpa, Geoinformation Associate, ICIMOD
Sharad Joshi, ICIMOD
10:40–11:00
Introduction to the eMotion Software and UAV connections
Sudan Bikash Maharjan, ICIMOD
11:00–12:10
Exercise on eMotion and Flight planning
Sudan Bikash Maharjan
Sharad Joshi
Tenzing Chogyal Sherpa
12:10–12:30
Demonstration on eBEE & eBEE X setup and exercise
Tenzing Chogyal Sherpa, ICIMOD
12:30–13:30
Lunch break
13:30–14:30
Group exercise on flight plan setup in eMotion
14:30–14:50
Discussion on flight plan setup
14:50–15:45
Presentation and demonstration on Ground Penetrating Radar
Rakesh Kayastha, KU
15:45–16:00
Tea break
16:00–17:00
Preparation for field work: Setting up flight plan
18:00 onward
Opening Reception
Test flight in the field and data compilation and processing
Session III: Field work (conduct UAV flight in field)
8:00–8:30
Arrival of all participants
8:30–9:00
Gathering at the KU Football ground and preparation
9:00–11:30
Flight plan setup and conduct UAV flight
Sudan Bikash Maharjan, Tenzing Chogyal Sherpa, Sharad Joshi, Rakesh Kayastha
11:30–12:00
Demonstration of GNSS survey
Sharad Joshi, Tenzing Chogyal Sherpa, Rakesh Kayastha, Sudan Bikash Maharjan
12:00–13:00
Session IV: Technical session (Data download and processing)
13:00–13:20
Demonstration and practical exercise on data download and geotagging
13:20–13:40
Demonstration of data processing in Agisoft Metashape and Pix4D
13:40–15:10
Practical exercise on data processing
15:10–15:30
Past activities in Ponkar glacier
Rakesh Kayastha
15:30–16:00
Discussion and feedback from participants
Closing session
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