Indian Glaciers melting at 5 to 20 metre rate annually: Study

According to a study carried out by ISRO, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIGH) Dehradun and other institutions, majority of glaciers are melting at varying rates ranging from five to 20 metre per year.

The studies have also revealed that majority of the glaciers are retreating (melting) at varying rates from 5-20 metre per year, Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave said in a written reply.

Gangotri is one of the largest glaciers (30 km long) of Uttarkahand followed by Satopanth glacier (14 km) and both of the glacers are retreating but not at an alarming rate.

The studies carried out on melting of glaciers by the in-situ measurements as well as remote sensing data indicate that the rate of retreat is "not uniform" for all glaciers, he added.

The reports also suggested Dokriani glacier in Bhagirathi basin is retreating between 15 and 20 metre per year since 1995 whereas Chorabari glacier in the Alaknanda basin is retreating 9-11 metre per year (2003-2014).

However, glaciers in the Alaknanda basin and upper Bhagirathi basin lost 18.4 sq km (5.7 per cent) and 9.0 sq km (3.3 per cent) respectively in the similar period.