Socio-Economic Implications of Snow Cover Area in the Upper Indus Basin

Authors

  • Kinza Hameed MS Scholar, Department of IGIS, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Science and Technology, (NUST) Islamabad, Pakistan.
  • Sidra H. Qureshi PhD Scholar, Department of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Malaysia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55737/qjssh.571394499

Keywords:

Snow Cover Area (SCA), Socio-economic Implications, Household Income

Abstract

The Indus River, one of the principal waterways in Asia, specifically the Indian Subcontinent, originates from the Himalayan Region and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Understanding snow cover dynamics is one of the most vital components for effective hydrological resource management and assessing the impacts of local, regional, and global climatic variations. Variations in the radiation of snow microstructures and snowpacks have profound socio-economic and environmental consequences, affecting agricultural productivity, reservoir supply for factories, environmental sustainability, governance of land resources, and overall community resilience. Fluctuations in snowmelt patterns can lead to water shortages or surplus, influencing food security and economic stability in a country largely dependent on agriculture. Utilizing Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite data, this study assesses the implications of Snow Cover Area (SCA) on water security and livelihood of agricultural-related sectors. A comparative analysis of snow cover reveals a shifting trend in the accumulation period, with notable anomalies affecting the agricultural output, which affects the household income related to the agricultural sector. This research underscores the necessity of adapting water management strategies to align with evolving snow cover dynamics to mitigate potential socio-economic risks.

Author Biography

  • Kinza Hameed, MS Scholar, Department of IGIS, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Science and Technology, (NUST) Islamabad, Pakistan.

References

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Published

2024-09-30

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Hameed, K., & Qureshi, S. H. (2024). Socio-Economic Implications of Snow Cover Area in the Upper Indus Basin. Qlantic Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 5(3), 63-70. https://doi.org/10.55737/qjssh.571394499

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