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PROF. N C PANT

Renowned Geologist and Antarctic Research Pioneer

Prof. Naresh Chandra Pant is a distinguished Indian geologist and former faculty member of the University of Delhi, where he recently retired after an illustrious career in teaching and research. Widely recognized for his expertise in glaciology and global climate systems, Prof. Pant has authored over 100 research papers and mentored generations of geoscientists who have gone on to make significant contributions in the field.

Before joining the University of Delhi, Prof. Pant served with distinction at the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur. His career is marked by a commitment to advancing earth sciences, particularly through his long-standing association with Antarctic research, which began in 1985.

Prof. Pant’s contributions have been honored with numerous prestigious awards, including the National Mineral Award (1996), the Antarctic Silver Jubilee Medal, and the British Council Innovation Award for the ICECAP-2 project (2015–2017). His legacy is not only defined by his extensive body of research—comprising nearly 80 national and international publications—but also by his role in shaping India’s polar science agenda and nurturing a new generation of climate and earth system scientists.

GNY LIVE Ailing Glaciers: Aerosol Warming the Himalayas-Insights from Prof. Naresh Chandra Pant on glaciers, air pollution and climate change

The Himalayan glaciers face significant climate change and air pollution threats. In this episode of GnY-Live, Professor N C Pant, a renowned geologist and a cryospheric expert, discusses the impact of air pollution on glaciers, particularly in the Himalayan and Tibetan Plateau regions, with Dr Sulagna Chattopadhyay, Editor-in-Chief, GnY. Professor Pant explains aerosols—fine particles in the atmosphere—affect the health of glaciers and contribute to global warming. Beyond the impact of carbon dioxide, aerosols increase heat retention in the atmosphere by as much as 50 percent. Also, Prof Pant adds that 75 percent of the Himalayan glaciers have retreated in the past century, with aerosols exacerbating this trend. However, the Himalaya reacts differentially to warming, where the eastern glaciers display less retreat than the western glaciers. Professor Pant explains the role of human activities, such as mining and industrial emissions, in exacerbating these environmental issues and highlights the consequences for communities dependent on glacial meltwater, especially in regions like Punjab. The discussion emphasises the urgent need for sustainable practices, better scientific research, and more effective pollution management strategies. The episode underscores the importance of collective efforts to mitigate the environmental impact and preserve vital natural resources.