The PG Department of Applied Geology, in collaboration with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), organized a webinar on “Glacier Retreat: Evidence of a Changing Climate” on March 21, 2025, to commemorate the World Day for Glaciers. The session was delivered by Mr. Anurag Maurya, Research Scholar from the Department of Geology, Nityanand Himalayan Research and Study Centre, Doon University, Dehradun.
Mr. Maurya’s presentation offered a comprehensive overview of glaciers as key indicators of climate change, emphasizing their critical role in maintaining global water balance and regulating Earth’s climate systems. He explained how global warming, altered precipitation patterns, and increasing human interventions have accelerated the rate of glacier retreat across various regions, particularly in the Himalayas.
Using satellite imagery, long-term research data, and field evidence, he illustrated the alarming decline of glaciers over the past decades and the associated impacts on freshwater availability, biodiversity, and regional ecosystems. The talk also shed light on the potential hazards of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and rising sea levels, both of which pose serious risks to vulnerable populations and coastal communities.
Mr. Maurya further discussed the scientific methods used in glaciology, such as remote sensing, field surveys, and climate modeling, underscoring their importance in monitoring, predicting, and mitigating the effects of glacier retreat.
The webinar witnessed active participation from 56 attendees, including postgraduate students and faculty members, who engaged enthusiastically in the interactive Q&A session. Participants raised thoughtful queries on climate mitigation strategies, glacial dynamics, and research opportunities in the field of cryospheric studies, which were addressed in detail by the resource person.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Abdul Rahman C.V., Head of the Department of Geology, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the speaker for his enlightening presentation and to the participants for their keen involvement.
Overall, the webinar proved to be a highly informative and thought-provoking session, successfully highlighting the urgent need for global climate action and continued research on glacier retreat to safeguard Earth’s delicate environmental balance.