The Himalayas, often referred to as the “Water Tower of Asia,” are undergoing rapid transformations under the influence of climate change. This book brings together interdisciplinary perspectives to examine the complex interactions between climate variability, water resources, and natural hazards across the Himalayan region.

The book highlights emerging challenges such as glacial retreat, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), changing hydrological regimes, and increasing frequency of extreme events. It also explores the socio-economic implications for vulnerable mountain communities and downstream populations. Through a combination of case studies, geospatial analyses, and policy-oriented discussions, the volume provides critical insights into risk assessment, adaptation strategies, and sustainable resource management. By integrating scientific research with local knowledge systems, the volume offers pathways toward resilience and informed decision-making in one of the world’s most fragile mountain ecosystems.

This book is an essential resource for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and students working in climate science, hydrology, geography, and disaster risk reduction.

Rayees Ahmed is a Project Scientist at the Divecha Centre for Climate Change, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. His research focuses on cryospheric processes and natural hazards in the Himalayan region. He serves on the editorial boards of several journals including Regional Environmental Change, Mountain Research and Development, and the Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences. He has published more than 50 research articles in reputed journals. 

Shahid Saleem is a Senior Researcher at the Department of Geography, University of Kashmir, Srinagar. He is the founder of the Himalayan Pastoral Trust, an initiative working across the high-altitude rangelands of Jammu & Kashmir to restore ecosystems and strengthen the resilience of pastoral communities. His work emphasizes integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern restoration science.

Prof. Pervez Ahmed is the Dean of Student Welfare at the University of Kashmir, Srinagar. He specializes in glacier dynamics and remote sensing, with a strong focus on understanding environmental change and natural hazards in mountain regions.