Disaster Management in the Complex Himalayan Terrains

South Asia, harboring the complex Himalayan terrains, has over one-fifth of the world's population and is recognized as the most hazard-prone region of the world. The exponential increase in population with the consequent pressure on natural resources and continued high rates of poverty and food insecurity also makes this region the most vulnerable region to hazards in the world as far as the impacts of climate change are concerned. Over the last century, the climatic trends in South-Asia have been observed to be characterized by increasing air temperatures and an increasing trend in the intensity and frequency of extreme events. IPCC (2014) has reported that the Himalayan highlands shall face significant warming over the next century. The increasing frequency of natural hazards due to the impacts of climate change in the Himalayas calls for efficient management and policymaking in these regions, which can only be implemented by the local governments through an established science-based robust action plan. This edited volume focuseson the management of natural hazards using innovative techniques of spatial information sciences andsatellite remote sensing. It contains chapters from eminent researchers and experts in the fieldof hazard management, remote sensing, and GIS. The primary focus of this book is to replenish thegap in the available literature on the subject by bringing the concepts, theories, and practical experiencesof the specialists and professionals in this field together in one volume to help students, researchers, and policymakers to addressissues concerning management and policy implications of natural hazards in the complex Himalayan region.