Rasik Ravindra, Panikkar professor at the ministry of earth sciences, New Delhi and former director of Goa-based National Centre for Antarctica and Ocean Research, informed this here on Wednesday.

The professor currently working in the Earth System Science Organization was in the city as chief guest at the 26th annual Indian Institute of Geomorphologists (IGI) national conference organized jointly by M S University's Department of Geography and Department of Geology. The veteran, who had led India's maiden expedition to the South Pole, said glaciers in the Himalayan region are presently being monitored.

"In Himalaya, two prominent north facing glaciers - Batal and Sutri Dhaka - have been adopted for long term integrated studies," said Ravindra.

The majestic Himalayas with its snow clad peaks and over 9,000 glaciers is a major source of fresh water for the Himalayan rivers and one of the largest reserves of snow and ice outside the Polar regions.

Glaciers in Himalayas are yet to be substantially studied for their resource and hazard potentials. "But few glaciers in the Himalayan region have been monitored for more than 10 years. Chhota Shigri glacier in the Chandra river basin of Pir Panjal range in the Lahaul-Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh is one of the glaciers that have been studied for a longer period," Ravindra, who last visited the region in September, said.

Presently, 10 scientists are involved in the project titled 'Cryosphere Studies in Himalayas' initiated by the ministry of earth sciences. According to Ravindra more scientists from across the country will be involved with the initiative to start the research station for which sufficient funds are being allocated by the Union government.

He added that the Indian polar program which commenced in 1981 has resulted in establishment of three research stations in Antarctica, one in Arctic while active research has started in the third Pole (Himalaya) apart from launching regular expeditions to Southern Ocean.

There have been 30 Indian expeditions to Antarctica since the first one in 1981.

Recalling his Antarctic experiences, Ravindra said the terrains make it difficult to travel despite special vehicles.

"The base station is almost at sea level and the South Pole is at an elevation of nearly 2,500 metres. And on the way, one has to cross a plateau that is 3,600 metres above mean sea level. It is not the terrain alone that makes the journey or staying in the continent difficult.

Temperatures can dip to a minimum of 55 degrees Celsius in summer and to 89 degrees in winter. Add to this the wind factor. If normal wind speed is 22-30 kilometres per hour, it can go beyond 200 kmph as well," he said.