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

22 Sep 2017 Solar Pumps
Nepali Engineers Explore New Irrigation Systems

Thirty irrigation engineers—10 of them women—from DOI participated in the training. Titled Energy Efficient Irrigation Systems using Solar Pumps, the ...

16 Jan 2017 Gender in Koshi
ICIMOD Initiative Helping Watershed Communities in the Koshi Basin Come Together

In the floodplain Bakdhuwa village development committee of Saptari district, eastern Nepal, local communities often face challenges related to water ...

12 Oct 2015 Mountain livelihoods and economy
Himalayan Nettle Links Marginalised to Private Sector

  'There is commercial value to each and every thing if you have an eye for it', said Chief Executive Officer ...

6 Apr 2016 Geospatial solutions
Anchoring Transboundary Cooperation: Vegetation and Land Use Type Map of Kailash Sacred Landscape

Kailash sacred landscape covers more than 31,000 km2 geographical area and is spread across China, India, and Nepal. It exhibits ...

27 Mar 2015 Atmosphere Initiative
Reducing black carbon in the region will have multiple benefits and save lives

The Himalaya region is among the most vulnerable parts of the world to climate change. Retreating glaciers reduce dry-season water ...

30 Sep 2016 News
Training Offers Experiential look into Innovative Livelihoods

An arc of rainbow, light drizzle, heavy showers, lush vegetation, clean streams, waterfalls, shining mountain ranges, misty mornings, leeches, and ...

21 Mar 2016 News
Training of Trainers on Value Chain Development

A three-day training of trainers workshop was conducted at the Agriculture Development Bank Hall, Rupandehi district in Nepal by the International Centre ...

27 Jan 2016 KSL
A Need to Protect Nepal’s Diverse Resources

Nepal harbours abundant biodiversity. Diversity exists largely due to the unique climatic conditions and geography in the Himalayan range. Indigenous ...