Vijay Kumar Raina

Last updated
Vijay Kumar Raina
NationalityKashmiri Pandit
Scientific career
FieldsGeology, Glaciology

Vijay Kumar Raina is an Indian geologist and glaciologist, and author of a controversial discussion paper from India's Ministry of Environment and Forests regarding Himalayan glaciers. [1] He was formerly deputy director-general of the Geological Survey of India, and led two scientific expeditions conducted by the Indian Antarctic Program. [1]

Contents

Career

In June 1958, Raina led the first Geological Survey of India expedition to the Siachen glacier. [2]

In the 1980s, Raina was the director general of the glaciology division at Geological Survey of India (GSI). [1]

Raina retired in 1991. [1]

Himalayan glacial melt controversy

On 10 July 2009, Raina visited the headquarters of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) along with 40 other scientists to hear a report on satellite images of Himalayan glaciers prepared by the Space Application Centre (SAC). [1]

On 4 August 2009, Raina submitted a paper outlining his dissent of the methodology of the SAC report and the claim that the Himalayan glaciers would disappear by 2035. [3] [4] Based on 150 years of GSI data on 25 Indian glaciers, Raina concluded: "It is premature to make a statement that glaciers in the Himalayas are retreating abnormally because of the global warming." [3] Environment minister Jairam Ramesh released the report in November 2009. [1] [5]

Rajendra K. Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), disagreed with Raina's claims.

In 2022, Raina co-authored a report for the CATO Institute that claims the Himalayan glacial melt has been exaggerated. [6]

Works

Raina has contributed to over 100 scientific papers and three books. [7]

Raina is co-author of "Glacier Atlas of India" which is a collection of photographs and descriptions of glaciers. [8] [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glacier</span> Persistent body of ice that is moving under its own weight

A glacier is a persistent body of dense ice that is constantly moving under its own weight. A glacier forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. It acquires distinguishing features, such as crevasses and seracs, as it slowly flows and deforms under stresses induced by its weight. As it moves, it abrades rock and debris from its substrate to create landforms such as cirques, moraines, or fjords. Although a glacier may flow into a body of water, it forms only on land and is distinct from the much thinner sea ice and lake ice that form on the surface of bodies of water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Himalayas</span> Mountain range in Asia, separating Indo-Gangetic plain from Tibetan Plateau

The Himalayas, or Himalaya, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the plains of the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. The range has some of the Earth's highest peaks, including the highest, Mount Everest; more than 100 peaks exceeding elevations of 7,200 m (23,600 ft) above sea level lie in the Himalayas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karakoram</span> Major mountain range spanning the borders between India Pakistan and China

The Karakoram is a mountain range in the Kashmir region spanning the borders of Pakistan, China, and India, with the northwestern extremity of the range extending to Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Most of the Karakoram mountain range falls under the jurisdiction of Gilgit-Baltistan, which is administered by Pakistan. Its highest peak, K2, is located in Gilgit-Baltistan. It begins in the Wakhan Corridor (Afghanistan) in the west, encompasses the majority of Gilgit-Baltistan, and extends into Ladakh and Aksai Chin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gangotri Glacier</span> Glacier in India

Gangotri is located in Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand, India in a region bordering Tibet. This glacier, one of the primary sources of the Ganges, has a volume of over 27 cubic kilometers. The glacier is about 30 kilometres long and 2 to 4 km wide. Around the glacier are the peaks of the Gangotri Group, including several peaks notable for extremely challenging climbing routes, such as Shivling, Thalay Sagar, Meru, and Bhagirathi III. It flows roughly northwest, originating in a cirque below Chaukhamba, the highest peak of the group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siachen Glacier</span> Glacier located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas

The Siachen Glacier is a glacier located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas at about 35.421226°N 77.109540°E, just northeast of the point NJ9842 where the Line of Control between India and Pakistan ends. At 76 km (47 mi) long, it is the longest glacier in the Karakoram and second-longest in the world's non-polar areas. It falls from an altitude of 5,753 m (18,875 ft) above sea level at its head at Indira Col on the India–China border down to 3,620 m (11,875 ft) at its terminus. The entire Siachen Glacier, with all major passes, has been under the administration of India as part of the union territory of Ladakh, located in the Kashmir region since 1984. Pakistan maintains a territorial claim over the Siachen Glacier and controls the region west of Saltoro Ridge, lying west of the glacier, with Pakistani posts located 1 km below more than 100 Indian posts on the ridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glacial lake outburst flood</span> Type of outburst flood that occurs when the dam containing a glacial lake fails

A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is a type of outburst flood caused by the failure of a dam containing a glacial lake. An event similar to a GLOF, where a body of water contained by a glacier melts or overflows the glacier, is called a jökulhlaup. The dam can consist of glacier ice or a terminal moraine. Failure can happen due to erosion, a buildup of water pressure, an avalanche of rock or heavy snow, an earthquake or cryoseism, volcanic eruptions under the ice, or massive displacement of water in a glacial lake when a large portion of an adjacent glacier collapses into it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Retreat of glaciers since 1850</span> Shortening of glaciers by melting

The retreat of glaciers since 1850 is well documented and is one of the effects of climate change. The retreat of mountain glaciers, notably in western North America, Asia, the Alps and tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Africa and Indonesia, provide evidence for the rise in global temperatures since the late 19th century. The acceleration of the rate of retreat since 1995 of key outlet glaciers of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets may foreshadow a rise in sea level, which would affect coastal regions. Excluding peripheral glaciers of ice sheets, the total cumulated global glacial losses over the 26-year period from 1993 to 2018 were likely 5500 gigatons, or 210 gigatons per yr.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biafo Glacier</span> Glacier in Pakistan

The Biafo Glacier Urdu: بیافو گلیشیر) is a glacier located within the Karakoram mountain range in the Hisper valley, Nagar District of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. It extends over a considerable distance, measuring 67 kilometers in length, and ranks as one of the largest glaciers in the entire Karakoram range. Flowing in a south-eastern direction from the central Karakoram crest, this glacier covers a basin area spanning 853 square kilometers, of which 628 square kilometers are characterized by permanent snow and ice. The accumulation zone alone contributes to 68% of the glacier's total area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siachen conflict</span> 1984–2003 territorial conflict between India and Pakistan in Kashmir

The Siachen conflict, sometimes referred to as the Siachen Glacier conflict or the Siachen War, was a military conflict between India and Pakistan over the disputed 1,000-square-mile (2,600 km2) Siachen Glacier region in Kashmir. The conflict was started in 1984 by India's successful capture of the Siachen Glacier as part of Operation Meghdoot, and continued with Operation Rajiv in 1987. India took control of the 70-kilometre-long (43 mi) Siachen Glacier and its tributary glaciers, as well as all the main passes and heights of the Saltoro Ridge immediately west of the glacier, including Sia La, Bilafond La, and Gyong La. Pakistan controls the glacial valleys immediately west of the Saltoro Ridge. A cease-fire went into effect in 2003, but both sides maintain a heavy military presence in the area. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths, mostly due to natural hazards. External commentators have characterized it as pointless, given the perceived uselessness of the territory, and indicative of bitter stubbornness on both sides.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subantarctic</span> Term describing the parts of the three largest oceans nearest the Southern Ocean

The subantarctic zone is a region in the Southern Hemisphere, located immediately north of the Antarctic region. This translates roughly to a latitude of between 46° and 60° south of the Equator. The subantarctic region includes many islands in the southern parts of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans, especially those situated north of the Antarctic Convergence. Subantarctic glaciers are, by definition, located on islands within the subantarctic region. All glaciers located on the continent of Antarctica are by definition considered to be Antarctic glaciers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nubra River</span> River in India

The Nubra River is a river in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh in India. It is a tributary of the Shyok River and originates from the Siachen Glacier, the second-longest non-polar glacier in the world. In earlier Tibetan maps, it was referred as Yarma Tsangpo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Criticism of the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report</span>

The IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) is a report on climate change created with the help of a large number of contributors, both scientists and governmental representatives. There has been considerable political controversy over a small number of errors found in the report, and there have been calls for review of the process used to formulate the report. The overwhelming majority view of scientists with expertise in climate change is that errors, when found, are corrected, and the issues as identified do not undermine the conclusions of the report that the climate system is warming in response to increased levels of greenhouse gases, largely due to human activities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tidewater glacier cycle</span> Behavior of glaciers that terminate at the sea

The tidewater glacier cycle is the typically centuries-long behavior of tidewater glaciers that consists of recurring periods of advance alternating with rapid retreat and punctuated by periods of stability. During portions of its cycle, a tidewater glacier is relatively insensitive to climate change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bara Shigri Glacier</span>

Bara Shigri is a glacier located in Lahaul & Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, India. It is currently extending to 27.7 kilometres and covers over 126.45 square kilometres. It is the largest glacier in Himachal Pradesh.

The glaciers in Bhutan, which covers about 3 percent of the total surface area, are responsible for feeding all rivers of Bhutan except the Amochu and Nyere Amachu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kolahoi Peak</span> Mountain in Jammu & Kashmir, India

Kolahoi Peak is a mountain with peak elevation of 5,425 metres (17,799 ft) located in Sonamarg, Jammu and Kashmir. Kolahoi Peak is easily accessible through Aru Pahalgam. The mountain is the highest mountain in Kashmir Division. Kolahoi Peak is part of the Great Himalayan range, and is located 16 km south of Kashmir. Accessible through the pathway of Aru Pahalgam, this mountain stands tall as the crowned jewel of the Kashmir Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gulkana Glacier</span> Glacier in the state of Alaska

Gulkana Glacier is a glacier that flows from the ice fields of the south flank of the eastern Alaska Range. It is accessible by gravel roads from the Richardson Highway near mile post 197 at the Richardson Monument, just two miles north of Summit Lake and 12 miles north of Paxson and the junction with Denali Highway. Closer to the glacier, a suspension bridge allows pedestrians to cross over Phelan Creek. Wildlife includes moose and bears. The peak of a hill just southwest of Gulkana Glacier has a post labeled PEWE 1975. The Arctic Man competition takes place near Gulkana Glacier every spring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology</span> Research institution in Dehradun, India

Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun is an autonomous Natural Resources research institute for the study of Geology of the Himalaya under the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. It was established in June, 1968 in the Botany Department, Delhi University, the Institute was shifted to Dehradun, Uttarakhand during April, 1976.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "V K Raina: The Man Who Came In From The Cold". Forbes India. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  2. Paul, Amit K. (2023-07-13). "The first GSI survey of the Siachen". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  3. 1 2 "Himalayan glaciers: a state-of-art review of glacial studies, glacial retreat and climate change - India Environment Portal | News, reports, documents, blogs, data, analysis on environment & development | India, South Asia". www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  4. Aiyar, S. A. (2021-04-11). "View: Yes, glaciers are melting but no need for panic". The Economic Times. ISSN   0013-0389 . Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  5. Mukherjee, Krittivas (2010-01-18). "UN panel re-examines Himalayan glacier thaw report". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  6. Swaminathan, S. Anklesaria Aiyar; Raina, Vijay K. (2022-05-03). "False Alarm over the Retreat of the Himalayan Glaciers (POLICY ANALYSIS NO. 927)". CATO Institute. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  7. Dhar, Aarti (2010-01-21). "Raina demands apology for Pachauri's 'voodoo science' comment". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  8. Raina, V.K.; Srivastava, Deepak (2008). Glacier Atlas of India. Geological society of India. ISBN   978-81-85867-80-9.
  9. Braithwaite, Roger J. (2009). "V.K. Raina and D. Srivastava. 2008. Glacier atlas of India. Bangalore, Geological Society of India. 315pp. ISBN-13: 978-8-185-86780-9, hardback. US$120 (obtainable from http://www.vedamsbooks.com)". Journal of Glaciology. 55 (193): 938–938. doi: 10.3189/002214309790152357 . ISSN   0022-1430.