Conference Presentations by Rakesh Saini
Current Science, 2020
In this study, field-based bathymetry of Neenkanth lake in the Lahaul Himalaya, India, was carrie... more In this study, field-based bathymetry of Neenkanth lake in the Lahaul Himalaya, India, was carried out. Volume estimation and calculation of peak discharge, and the results thus obtained have been compared with empirically derived values. Average morphological characteristics of this lake are the depth of 5.78 m, area of 22,925.80 m 2 and volume of 132,511.12 m 3. The quantitative glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) characteristics derived from the empirical models were found to be much higher than the measured values of the lake. A qualitative approach was adopted to determine dam breach assessment indicators, viz. dam type, dam geometry, height of the freeboard, etc. GLOF potential was found to be high considering majority of qualitative parameters; however, field measurements indicate a low risk.
by Nicolas Maughan, Kathleen Morrison, Erle C Ellis, Zsolt Pinke, Jean Vacher, Laura Popova, Elizabeth Kyazike, Rakesh Saini, Anne Casile, Umberto Lombardo, S. Yoshi Maezumi, Sathaporn Monprapussorn, and Albert Hafner
Books by Rakesh Saini
Final Technical Report on Himalayan Glacier monitoring a joint project of Ministry of Environment... more Final Technical Report on Himalayan Glacier monitoring a joint project of Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of India
Drafts by Rakesh Saini
Madhya Pradesh Administrative Atlas by Office of the Registrar General Of India
Papers by Rakesh Saini
Reconstraining the Quaternary glacial history of Lahaul Himalaya, northern India
Quaternary Science Reviews
Reconstruction of post-little ice age glacier recession in the Lahaul Himalaya, north-west India
Geografiska Annaler Series A-physical Geography, Dec 12, 2022
Scientific Reports, 2020
The present study documents the long-term trends in the temperature and precipitation of a poorly... more The present study documents the long-term trends in the temperature and precipitation of a poorly represented region, the Sikkim, eastern Himalaya using the Mann–Kendall non-parametric test and the Sen’s slope estimator. Additionally, the normal distribution curves and Cusum charts have been used to identify the shifts in extreme events and to detect the points of change in the climatic data series for robust analysis. The minimum temperatures recorded a positive trend in Gangtok (0.036 ˚C year−1 from 1961 to 2017) as well as in Tadong (0.065 ˚C year−1 from 1981 to 2010) stations, while the maximum temperatures showed no trend in Tadong station from 1981 to 2010 which is consistent with the trend in Gangtok station for the overlapped period. However, it was negative for the overall assessed period (− 0.027 ˚C year−1 from 1961 to 2017) in Gangtok. The average temperatures in Gangtok recorded no trend whereas a positive trend (0.035 ˚C year−1 from 1981 to 2010) was observed at Tadong ...
Shrinking Glaciers of the Himachal Himalaya: A Critical Review
Environmental Change in the Himalayan Region, 2019
This chapter deals with the present status of glaciers in the state of Himachal Pradesh, north-we... more This chapter deals with the present status of glaciers in the state of Himachal Pradesh, north-western Himalaya (India). It portrays a detailed and comprehensive review of the literature on glaciers dynamics with specific examples from poorly observed glaciers and basins in the area. It highlights the irregularities in available glacier inventories and its usability, observations related to glacier terminus retreat and area vacated since the post-Little Ice Age (LIA) to contemporary period, glacier mass balance observations since last four decades (1970s–2010s) and identifies the poorly observed basins in terms of glacier research. An emphasis has been placed, of necessity, on what has been the response of glaciers to climate (e.g. temperature and precipitation) and non-climatic (e.g. debris-cover, morphology and catchment relief) factors. The review reveals overall glacier recession trends and thinning with heterogeneity from one glacier to another since end of LIA acorss the Himachal Himalaya.
Rasayan Journal of Chemistry, 2020
A correlation study of gross calorific value of coal with parameters of proximate analysis (the c... more A correlation study of gross calorific value of coal with parameters of proximate analysis (the content of ash, moisture, volatile matter and fixed carbon) was studied on more than 200 samples of coal from different mining areas across India. Gross calorific value is increased with the decrease of the content of ash, moisture respectively, and gross calorific value is also increased with the increase in the content of volatile matter and fixed carbon respectively. The relevant experimental data and graphs are very useful for industries to estimate the quality of coal.
Current Science, 2020
In this study, field-based bathymetry of Neenkanth lake in the Lahaul Himalaya, India, was carrie... more In this study, field-based bathymetry of Neenkanth lake in the Lahaul Himalaya, India, was carried out. Volume estimation and calculation of peak discharge, and the results thus obtained have been compared with empirically derived values. Average morphological characteristics of this lake are the depth of 5.78 m, area of 22,925.80 m 2 and volume of 132,511.12 m 3 . The quantitative glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) characteristics derived from the empirical models were found to be much higher than the measured values of the lake. A qualitative approach was adopted to determine dam breach assessment indicators, viz. dam type, dam geometry, height of the freeboard, etc. GLOF potential was found to be high considering majority of qualitative parameters; however, field measurements indicate a low risk.
Science
Environmentally transformative human use of land accelerated with the emergence of agriculture, b... more Environmentally transformative human use of land accelerated with the emergence of agriculture, but the extent, trajectory, and implications of these early changes are not well understood. An empirical global assessment of land use from 10,000 years before the present (yr B.P.) to 1850 CE reveals a planet largely transformed by hunter-gatherers, farmers, and pastoralists by 3000 years ago, considerably earlier than the dates in the land-use reconstructions commonly used by Earth scientists. Synthesis of knowledge contributed by more than 250 archaeologists highlighted gaps in archaeological expertise and data quality, which peaked for 2000 yr B.P. and in traditionally studied and wealthier regions. Archaeological reconstruction of global land-use history illuminates the deep roots of Earth’s transformation and challenges the emerging Anthropocene paradigm that large-scale anthropogenic global environmental change is mostly a recent phenomenon.
Glacio-Archaeological Evidence of Permanent Settlements Within Glacier End Moraine Complex During 980-1840AD in Miyar Basin, Lahaul Himalaya, India
Anthropocene
Geosciences
Detailed field mapping of glacial and paraglacial landforms and optical dating from these landfor... more Detailed field mapping of glacial and paraglacial landforms and optical dating from these landforms are used to reconstruct the early Holocene glaciation in the semi-arid region of Miyar basin, Lahaul Himalaya. The study identifies three stages of glaciation, of decreasing magnitude and termed, from oldest to youngest, the Miyar stage (MR-I), Khanjar stage (KH-II), and Menthosa advance (M-III). The oldest glacial stage (MR-I) has been established on the basis of detailed geomorphological evidence such as U-shaped valley morphology, trimlines, and truncated spurs. It is speculated to be older than the global Last Glacial Maximum (gLGM) based on the magnitude of ∆ELA (Equilibrium-Line Altitude, 606m). No evidence of glacier expansion recorded from the basin correlates with the period of the gLGM. The second stage (KH-II) is well represented by extensive depositional features such as lateral and terminal moraines, drumlins, and lacustrine fills that have been constrained within 10 ± 1 to 6.6 ± 1.0 ka (Optically stimulated luminescence-OSL-ages), dating it to the early Holocene advance following the Younger Dryas cooling event. Exceptionally young glacial records of expansion are limited within a few hundred meters of the present termini of tributary glaciers and correlates with the 18th-century cooling event. Records of this glacial advance, termed the Menthosa advance, are clearly noticed in some tributary valleys.
Climate of the Past Discussions, 2016
Impressive glacio-archaeological evidence is described from the Miyar basin, Lahul Himalaya, Indi... more Impressive glacio-archaeological evidence is described from the Miyar basin, Lahul Himalaya, India. Three ruins, namely Tharang, Phundang and Patam are identified along with evidence for past settlement and rich irrigation practices in the basin. These ruins are located in the end moraine complex of Tharang glacier, just ~ 2–3 km from the present glacier snout. Reconstruction of these ruins was undertaken based on mapping and radiocarbon (<sup>14</sup>C) dating. The radiocarbon dates (9 samples were dated) indicate that the settlement was occupied between cal AD ~ 1170 and cal AD ~ 1730, thereby encompassing the majority of Little Ice Age period. The settlement’s occupation at ~ 3700 m a.s.l. (whereas present habitation is restricted to areas below ~ 3500 m  a.s.l.) for almost ~ 550 years during the 12<sup>th</sup> to 17<sup>th</sup> centuries suggest warmer conditi...
Impressive glacio-archaeological evidence is described from the Miyar basin, Lahul Himalaya, Indi... more Impressive glacio-archaeological evidence is described from the Miyar basin, Lahul Himalaya, India. Three ruins, namely 10 Tharang, Phundang and Patam are identified along with evidence for past settlement and rich irrigation practices in the basin. These ruins are located in the end moraine complex of Tharang glacier, just ~2–3 km from the present glacier snout. Reconstruction of these ruins was undertaken based on mapping and radiocarbon (14 C) dating. The radiocarbon dates (9 samples were dated) indicate that the settlement was occupied between cal AD ~1170 and cal AD ~1730, thereby encompassing the majority of Little Ice Age period. The settlement's occupation at ~3700 m a.s.l. (whereas present 15 habitation is restricted to areas below ~3500 m a.s.l.) for almost ~550 years during the 12 th to 17 th centuries suggest warmer conditions than today. Moreover, the study finds no evidence to suggest any noticeable glacier advance during this period.
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Conference Presentations by Rakesh Saini
Books by Rakesh Saini
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Papers by Rakesh Saini