What is the Nagaland University-led project assessing high-altitude lakes in Sikkim and Arunachal?

Kohima, July 28 (NationPress) A research initiative directed by Nagaland University is crafting a detailed and nearly precise inventory alongside a stability evaluation of high-altitude lakes located in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, as stated by officials on Monday.

An official from the University revealed that the focus of the research will be on the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) potential of Tenbawa Lake alongside its connections to Holocene Climate variations in Sikkim, in addition to two other glacial lakes in Arunachal Pradesh.

The research team aims to pinpoint ‘Potentially Dangerous Glacial Lakes’ utilizing high-resolution datasets and will scrutinize geomorphology, permafrost, and slope instability within the Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh, and the Lachung basin in northern Sikkim across two distinct projects.

The threat posed by sudden lake outbursts will be assessed through bathymetric surveys and 2D/3D flood modeling of selected lakes in the Tawang area.

Bathymetric surveys are specialized hydrographic assessments that chart the depths and configurations of submerged landscapes, offering detailed insights into the underwater topography of bodies of water.

The initiative also aims to uncover ecological hazards, knowledge deficiencies, and ecosystem services associated with high-altitude lakes amidst current climate change, along with evaluating freshwater resources, the official noted.

The findings from this research will be disseminated to policymakers, planners, and developers to ensure a comprehensive approach for development along riverbanks, mitigating potential devastation from a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood event, thereby averting chaotic rescue operations, insurance claims, and structural reconstructions following disasters.

This project is spearheaded by Dr. Manasi Debnath, Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography, who serves as the Principal Investigator. Funding is provided by the Union Ministries of Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, with Co-Principal Investigators from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Sikkim University, National Institute of Himalayan Environment in Itanagar, and the Inter-University Accelerator Centre in Delhi.

The Vice-Chancellor of Nagaland University, Prof. Jagadish K Patnaik, emphasized the significance of such studies, stating: 'Nagaland University proudly leads a vital research endeavor aimed at creating a detailed and near-accurate inventory and stability assessment of high-altitude lakes in the Sikkim and Arunachal Himalayas.'

This multidisciplinary project aims to comprehend the GLOF potential of Tenbawa Lake and its relation to Holocene Climate variations, he added.

Prof. Patnaik remarked that these scientific initiatives are crucial for tackling the growing environmental vulnerabilities in the eastern Himalayas, enhancing readiness for natural disasters, and enriching our understanding of historical climate dynamics. This project exemplifies Nagaland University's dedication to leading advanced research for societal and ecological resilience in the Northeast region and beyond.

Detailing the focus areas of this endeavor, Dr. Debnath expressed: 'We are working on formulating a precise inventory of glacial lakes in the eastern Himalayas (North Sikkim and Arunachal Himalaya) and assessing hazardous lakes concerning breach potential and discharge volume. This will be accomplished using high spatial resolution satellite imagery along with necessary field validation and measurements for the identified lakes.'

Elucidating what makes this study distinctive, she mentioned that they plan to evaluate the glacial lakes in Arunachal and Sikkim, which have not been thoroughly researched regarding breach characteristics and the areas affected during GLOF events, including the length and reaches impacted.

'Given that the assessment of the Arunachal glacial lakes occurs at the headwaters of the Brahmaputra, any lake breach could have catastrophic implications regarding the reach length. In Sikkim, the ecological repercussions under such scenarios are also being examined at the Lachung sub-basin level. Palaeo-hazard analysis in the Lachung sub-basin aids in contrasting past and present GLOF frequencies at the basin scale,' she explained.

The unique geographical features of these glacial lakes, the impact of climate change on permafrost thawing mechanisms, and regional trends concerning glacier recession and ice loss rates in the eastern Himalayas compared to the western Himalayas and other parts of high Asia are focal points.

Utilizing drone mapping and bathymetric surveys of glaciers and glacial lakes will facilitate the creation of a near-accurate database for modeling potential related disasters, thereby enabling robust development along the streams derived from these glaciers and lakes and the downstream river systems.

Palaeo-studies aim to infer the extent of climate change throughout geological history, contributing to our understanding of the ongoing debate between human-induced and natural climate variability. This project will also aid in establishing the newly formed 'Glacier and Mountain Research Lab' within Nagaland University's Geography Department, as noted by the university official.