Minister of State (I/C) for M/o Earth Sciences and M/o Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh has informed that It is imperative to estimate the thickness of the Himalayan glaciers in order to assess the water availability stored in these glaciers. Geophysical techniques and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) profiling have been employed for assessing depth of some glaciers by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) under Ministry of Earth Sciences has approached International agencies and potential partners to develop and demonstrate innovative airborne radar survey technique which is not available in India and it is also not commercially available elsewhere. Once the technology is matured this work will be taken up.
The areas of the Himalayas which will be explored will be decided once the technology is matured.