The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) has been vigilantly keeping track on six specific glaciers in the Himalayas, which show a significant retreat ranging between 13 to 33 millimetres annually. These glaciers namely Sutri Dhaka, Batal, Bara Shigri, Samudra Tapu, Gepang Gath, and Kunzum, have been primarily investigated for their mass, energy, and hydrological balance.
Monitoring the Melting Rates
An interesting revelation has been made that debris thicker than two centimetres has helped reduce the glacier melting rates by a staggering 70%. On the contrary, a debris cover thinner than two centimetres has enhanced the melting process by 10%. The study has been focus primarily in Western Himalaya’s Chandra basin in Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh from the year 2013.
NCPOR has also established a high-altitude research station named ‘Himansh’ in the Himalayas at the Sutri Dhaka glacier, standing tall at an altitude of 4,000 metres.
About NCPOR
Originally formed as the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), the NCPOR was founded as an autonomous R&D institution under the aegis of the Ministry of Earth Sciences on May 25, 1998. It holds the nation’s premium R&D responsibilities for research activities related to Polar and Southern Ocean realms.
Responsibilities and Roles
The roles of NCPOR are extensive and varied. Its duties involve management of Indian Antarctic Research Bases “Maitri” and “Bharati”, and the Indian Arctic base “Himadri”. Beyond these logistical responsibilities, NCPOR also manages the Ministry’s research vessel ORV Sagar Kanya alongside other research vessels. The institution also plays a pivotal role in the geoscientific surveys of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and extends deep-sea drilling in the Arabian Sea basin through the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP). This includes exploration for ocean non-living resources like gas hydrates and multi-metal sulphides in mid-ocean ridges.
The Integral Statistics
| Glacier | Annual Retreat (mm) |
|---|---|
| Sutri Dhaka | 13 to 33 |
| Batal | 13 to 33 |
| Bara Shigri | 13 to 33 |
| Samudra Tapu | 13 to 33 |
| Gepang Gath | 13 to 33 |
| Kunzum | 13 to 33 |
NCPOR and International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP)
The IODP is an international marine research collaboration with a mission to explore Earth’s history and dynamics. It recovers data from seafloor sediments and rocks and monitors subseafloor environments. NCPOR represents India in the IODP after its association as a member beginning from Phase I in 2009. The collaboration continued into Phase II which began post-October 2013.
