Uttarakhand has formed a glacial lakes working group to monitor 13 sensitive glacial lakes. The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, will act as the nodal agency. Moreover, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami approved Rs 9.00 crore for the project. DIPR shared the decision on 25 March 2026. Also, the work runs under the National GLOF Risk Mitigation Programme (NGRMP). Hence, the state moves towards a scientific warning system.
Members of the Working Group
Seven institutions join the Wadia Institute in the group. They include the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), USDMA and the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH). Also, the Uttarakhand Space Application Centre (USAC) and Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) are members. Finally, the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) and Geological Survey of India (GSI) complete the team. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) supports the programme.
How the Rs 9 Crore Will Be Spent
The Wadia Institute will get Rs 7.80 crore. It will spend this on equipment, satellite imagery, software and computing facilities. Next, USDMA will route the remaining Rs 1.20 crore to the Wadia Institute. This amount covers field surveys, public awareness and capacity building.
Goals of the Programme
The group will build a modern monitoring system for the lakes. In addition, it will set up an Early Warning System (EWS). So, Dhami directed officials to use science and technology to manage glacial lake risks. Notably, he called Himalayan conservation the state’s highest priority.
About Uttarakhand’s Glacial Lakes
Uttarakhand has about 1,200 glacial lakes among 968 glaciers, ETV Bharat reported in January 2026. Of these, an NDMA report flagged 13 lakes as sensitive. Moreover, five of them are highly vulnerable. A GLOF occurs when a glacial lake suddenly breaches its moraine or ice dam. For example, the 2013 Kedarnath disaster involved the breach of Chorabari Tal.
Glacial Lakes Working Group: Key Facts for Revision
- Lakes covered: 13 sensitive glacial lakes
- Nodal agency: Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun
- Programme: National GLOF Risk Mitigation Programme (NGRMP), with NDMA support
- Funds: Rs 9.00 crore (Rs 7.80 crore to Wadia; Rs 1.20 crore via USDMA)
- Members: CBRI, USDMA, NIH, USAC, IIRS, NRSC, GSI
- Key goal: Early Warning System for glacial lakes
Why Glacial Lakes Working Group Matters for UKPSC
Notably, GLOF risk is a recurring theme in UKPSC disaster management questions. So, remember the 13 lakes, the Wadia Institute’s nodal role and the Rs 9 crore split. Also, link this step with the Vasudhara Tal early warning system. For official updates, also visit USDMA. Next, for a related story, read about the Saraswati Tal and Kedartal survey. You can also download our free Uttarakhand Current Affairs magazine.
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