WSES-1-Snow and glaciers and their contribution to India's water resources

Abstract

Snow and ice on Himalays always attract attention of Explorers, Geographers, Philosophers and Sports persons from all over the world. One and all get thrilled with the scenic beauty and the serenity of the environment. But the scientific investigations have been very limited due to ultra high altitudes and associated communication and transportation problems. However, the scientific understanding on the subject has been developed in high latitude environment. With the availability of new technologies especially remote sensing by satellite and automatic instrumentations, it now seems possible to assess the resource potential of Himalayas.

The fact that some 60 years of average annual precipitation over the earth is locked up in ice as fresh water resource makes the phenomenon most intresting and exciting. All attempts need to be made to understand the snow and ice and its role in modifying the face of our mother planet - the earth. Through this Water Science Education Series, being brought out by National Institute of Hydrology, Dr. jagdish Bahadur, an expert in the area who has devoted a good part of his life to understand snow and ice components has shared his information and thoughts with a larger spectrum of readers. The Institute shall feel rewarded if the contents help create awareness among the masses and educate the people about the various hydrological aspects connected with the snow and glaciers in general and Himalayan snow and ice in particular for rational utilisation of these natural resources.