The snow cover of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh that feeds four major river systems declined by 18% this year. According to a government study in 2019-20 year 23,542 sq. km was under snow cover , which now have dropped to 19,183 sq km in 2020-21, a decline of 3,404 sq. km or 18.52%. This also indicates climate change.
Who conducted the study?
The Council for Science Technology and Environment (Himcoste) of Himachal Pradesh and the Space Applications Centre based in Ahmedabad, conducted the study of seasonal snow cover in Himachal Pradesh from October 2020 to May 2021.
What do scientists have to say?
Himscote member secretary Sudesh Kumar Mokhta said, “Scientists used space technology to study the cryosphere, comprising the glaciers over the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh. Satellite data was analysed to map the geographical extent of snow cover and understand the contribution of snow in catchments to sustain the hydrology of the river basins”.
