Archive · 9 Nov 2025
Arunachal Glacier Expedition Studies Climate Change Impact
Scientists have started a special trip to study the big ice mountains, called glaciers, in a part of India called Arunachal Pradesh.
These glaciers are like giant ice cubes that are slowly melting because the Earth is getting warmer.
The scientists want to learn how much the glaciers are melting and moving to understand how climate change is affecting them.
They will also check for dangers like floods caused by melting ice lakes.
This area has many glaciers, but not many have been studied closely before.
The information they gather will help understand the glaciers better and protect the water for millions of people who depend on the rivers that start from these glaciers.
The fourth Khangri glacier expedition has begun in Arunachal Pradesh to study climate change impacts on Himalayan glaciers.
The expedition, led by glaciologist Dr. Parmanand Sharma, involves scientists and engineers from multiple Indian institutions.
Researchers will study glacier mass balance, movement, and glacial lake evolution to assess risks like Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
Arunachal Himalayas have 161 glaciers, but few have been studied in detail, making this mission crucial for understanding the region's cryosphere.
The expedition aims to contribute to understanding climate-cryosphere-hydrology linkages and ensure long-term water security for the region.
- Who
- A multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers led by glaciologist Dr. Parmanand Sharma.
- What
- The fourth Khangri glacier expedition to study the response of Himalayan glaciers to climate change.
- When
- Commenced on Saturday (November 9th), to continue until November 15th.
- Where
- Mago Chu basin under Gorichen Mountain in Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang district.
- Why
- To conduct systematic studies on glacier mass balance and movement, understand their response to climate change, examine glacial lake evolution, and assess GLOF risks.
- Expedition Name
- 4th Khangri Glacier Expedition
- Location
- Mago Chu basin, Gorichen Mountain, Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh
- Duration
- November 9th - November 15th
- Organizers
- Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS), National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)
- Lead Scientist
- Dr. Parmanand Sharma
- Participating Institutions
- CESHS, NCPOR, Nagaland University, NERIST