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

29 Sep 2015 News
Member countries develop methodology for land degradation Assessment

  Land degradation is common across the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, but surrounding countries lack proper documentation and modelling to properly ...

6 Jun 2016 KSL
Springshed Management Training at Godavari

Kailash Sacred Landscape (KSL), HI-AWARE and Water Land and Ecosystem (WLE) initiatives of ICIMOD jointly with Advanced Center for Water Resouces ...

12 May 2017 HICAP
ICIMOD Knowledge Products Launched at IPCC Event in Kathmandu, Nepal

Adaptation Solution Brief: Strengthening women’s roles as risk and resource managers at the frontline of climate change Launched by Nand Kishor ...

17 Apr 2015 News
A new collaboration to manage forests

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) will be collaborating with the World Resources Institute (WRI) through its Global Forest Watch (GFW) initiative ...

22 Sep 2015 News
SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) and private sector engagement in climate change

The SAARC region is one of the most densely populated and ecologically vulnerable regions in the world housing more than 40 percent ...

24 Jan 2018 Cryosphere
Cryosphere Initiative field activities for the autumn 2017

Thana glacier, Bhutan In Bhutan, Sharad Joshi, Associate Glaciologist and two glaciologists from the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Germany, ...

4 Apr 2018 Himalica
ICIMOD and SAPLING Project of HKI Collaborate to Promote Beekeeping in Ruma upazila, Bandarban

Encouraged by this result, the Himalica initiative sought collaboration with the Sustainable Agriculture and Production Linked to Improved Nutrition Status, ...