ITANAGAR, Oct 22: A joint scientific team has completed its sixth field expedition to Khangri Glacier in the Mago Chu Basin of Tawang district on Thursday, strengthening ongoing research into glacier dynamics, high-altitude lake monitoring and the impact of climate change on the Eastern Himalaya.
The expedition, which began on October 10, was jointly undertaken by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST).
The team carried out a series of scientific investigations aimed at monitoring changes in the glacier and associated glacial lakes, assessing ice loss and improving understanding of the region's high-altitude cryosphere.
A major achievement was the establishment of a new HydroMAT monitoring site at the outlet of Sangnya Nekhu (Blue) Lake. The team also conducted a detailed bathymetric survey of the lake using a sonar-equipped Apache boat to assess its underwater topography.
Glacier surface ablation, which measures the loss of ice and snow from the glacier surface, was estimated as part of the effort to understand changes in glacier mass and surface characteristics.
The expedition also included aerial surveys of four lakes identified by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and classified under Risk Types A and B. The surveys are expected to contribute to the monitoring of potentially hazardous glacial lakes in the region.
In another key activity, the team installed four new bamboo stakes at different locations across Khangri Glacier to facilitate continued monitoring of glacier ablation and surface changes.
Long-term scientific investigations at Khangri Glacier have been underway for the past four years. The research programme aims to improve understanding of glacier behaviour, track changes in ice mass and surface characteristics, and assess how the high-altitude cryosphere is responding to climate change.
The latest expedition marks another milestone in collaborative scientific research in Arunachal Pradesh, particularly in the Eastern Himalayan region, where sustained glacier and glacial lake monitoring is important for understanding environmental changes and assessing potential risks associated with the changing cryosphere.