Indian Himalayan capacity and adaptation programme: Capacity-building in Himalayan glaciology

Himalaya is the highest, youngest and one of the most fragile mountain ecosystems of the world. The Himalayan region has the largest concentration of glaciers outside the polar realm. With glacier coverage of ~33,000 sq. km, the region is aptly called the ‘water tower of Asia’ and provides ~86,000,000 cubic meters of water annually to Asia’s seven great rivers. These rivers provide freshwater to support livelihood of people (~1.3 billion) living downstream. Changes in climate have affected the entire earth with more dramatic effects on the high Himalayan glaciers. These glaciers are more susceptible to climate change, because of their latitudinal and altitudinal position and other interrelated processes, which need detailed multidisciplinary investigations.