This site uses cookies, as explained in our terms of use. If you consent, please close this message and continue to use this site.

Back to news
18 Apr 2017 | GIS and remote sensing

Lessons Learnt from Training on Mapping and Monitoring Glaciers using RS and GIS at ICIMOD

The use of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) in mapping and monitoring glaciers can help professionals working in the Hindu Kush Himalaya gather data more efficiently while conducting research. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) recently organized a five-day training on using RS and GIS to map and monitor glaciers in the HKH to help students and professionals working with ICIMOD implementation partners in Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan incorporate RS and GIS use into their practice.

1 min Read

70% Complete
Training participants with experts from ICIMOD’s cryosphere initiative Phot Credit: Jitendra Bajracharya

The participants came from the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), Bhutan; Karakoram International University (KIU), Pakistan; the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), Nepal; Water and Energy Commission (WECS), Nepal; Kathmandu University (KU), Nepal; and Tribhuvan University, Nepal’s Central Departments of Geography, Geology, and Hydrology and Meteorology, and the Department of Geology, Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Nepal.

During the training, Iram Bano, a participant from Pakistan, talked about studying glaciology and being one of the first women glaciologists from her community. Bano has an MSc by Research in Glaciology from Kathmandu University, Nepal and is currently a Research Associate (Glaciology) at the Department of Earth Sciences, Karakoram International University, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. “It is good to be back in Kathmandu and at ICIMOD to attend the training,” she said. “I can replicate what I learnt here in my work and future research. Such research skills are essential for my country.”


Other participants say
“I learned about attributes of GIS and eCognition software, and the application of these tools to monitor and analyze glaciers. These skills will be useful in hazard mapping when landslides and floods occur as well as for geological mapping for the development of minerals and tectonic interpretations.”

Kabi Raj Paudyal
Assistant Professor
Central Department of Glaciology, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

“I found that the eCognition developer is very useful for image analysis. This training will definitely help me apply my skills to map the glaciers of Bhutan. It will also help with getting information while carrying out glacier-hydrological studies.”

Tshewang Rigzin
Engineer/hydrologist
National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology, Bhutan

“Studying trends related to glacier area will provide useful input to runoff modelling and to analyzing climate change impact. This will help in making sustainable water management plans and contribute partly to water policy. ”

Sabina Kharbuya
Hydropower Engineer
Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS)

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 content

Continue exploring this topic

6 Feb 2015 News
Workshop on Glaciological Applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

A total of 50 participants from 15 institutions participated in the workshop, which focused on the scientific/natural hazard applications of ...

3 Sep 2019 KDKH
The KDKH’s transboundary working group to study impacts of GLOF events in the Koshi basin

In June 2019, a study that used declassified military satellite data showed that a staggering

9 May 2017 News
ICIMOD Hosts 3rd CARIAA Annual Learning Review

HI-AWARE as part of the larger Collaborative Adaptation Research in Africa and Asia (CARIAA) organized its third Annual Learning ...

11 Apr 2016 Gender in Koshi
Water, Women and Livelihood Improvement

Water is the lifeblood of every household in Nepal's middle hills, but accessing it is a challenge. Hill hamlets depend ...

8 Apr 2016 News
Himalayan Monitoring And Assessment Programme (HIMAP) Gathers Momentum

The Comprehensive Assessment of the HKH Region: Actions to Sustain a Global Asset, conducted as part of the larger Hindu ...

15 Jan 2020 KDKH
Disasters beyond boundaries: Experts agree on regional cooperation to build resilience in the Koshi basin

Water-induced hazards are common in the Koshi basin, and disasters can cross boundaries, as we saw with the late July ...

23 Jan 2018 Koshi Basin Initiative
River basin approach demands coordination among multidisciplinary agencies: interview with Prem Paudel, Chief of the Planning Section, DSCWM

Prem Paudel is Chief of the Planning Section, Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management, Ministry of ...

20 May 2022 News
Bee engaged: Celebrating the diversity of bees and beekeeping systems

Each year, we mark 20 May as World Bee Day to raise awareness about the essential role bees play ...