HP snowcovers depletes by 18.52 per cent : Report

Himachal Pradesh have snow cover on one third of its geographical area depleted by
18.52 per cent during the year 2020-21 from month of October to May , a report released by the state
environment, science and technology developmental council claimed in 20 page report published recently.

20 paged report developed by the State Centre on Climate Change( SCCC) and ISRO on the basis of satellite
data Assessment of Spatial Distribution of Seasonal snow cover during the year 2020-21.

Report was authored by I.M. Bahuguna and B.P Rathore of ISRO Ahmedabad and SS Randhawa, Nishtha Gautaum
of State Centre on Climate Change said that area under snow in Himachal Pradesh measured 19183 square kilometer
which was 23542 sqkm in previous year 2019-20 showing decrease in minus 18.52 pc.

The report said that most of snow cover recedes by  minus 23.49 per cent under Ravi Basin in the state as
it was 1619.82 sqkm in 2020-21 compared to 2108.13 sqkm of 2019-20, followed by minus 23.16 pc Satluj basin measured
9045.50 sq km compared to 11823.1 sq km,

The snow cover come down by minus 18.54 pc in Beas basin recorded 2002.03 sqkm that of 2457.68 sqkm in previous years
and Chenab basis minus 8.92 pc (6515.91 in 2020-21 and 7154.11 sq km in 2019-20).

The report begins by the words that state receives winter precipitation in the form of snow at high altitude in
about one third of state area also remained under thick snow cover during the winter.

The state snow cover thaws into major rivers like Chenab, Beas,Parvati, Baspa, Spiti, Ravi, Satluj and their
perennial tributaries originating from the Himalayas depend upon the snowfall cover.

The report was prepared annually by the two organisation on the basis of satellite mappings as it is major input in
controlling the hydrology of the river basin.

The study is not helpful for the purpose of environment assessemnt but
number of hydro project being set up on the discharge of water from these glacial bodies and snow covers beside that
it help to control the water for flood control and irrigation etc,.

It is worthwhile to mentioned here that Himachal Pradesh is 17 largest state in total area with  55,673 sq. km however 37,033 sq km(66.52%) geographical area is under forest (restrictive forest area) and under snow cover 23,542 sq km.