Which institute has been studying the Pensilungpa Glacier in Zanskar, Ladakh, to monitor its retreat and mass balance?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 2 i.e. Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG).
The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), an autonomous body under India's Department of Science and Technology, has been actively monitoring the Pensilungpa Glacier in Ladakh's Zanskar Valley since 2015.
Using field observations and stake networking, researchers found the glacier is retreating at an average rate of 6.7 meters per year. The study attributes this decline to rising temperatures and reduced winter precipitation. Their findings highlight how debris cover and changing snowfall patterns significantly impact the glacier's mass balance and long-term stability.