Chevallier Pierre, IRD, UMR Hydrosciences, pierre.chevallier@ird.fr
The question of the future of water resources in the Himalayan Range has been widely discussed during the recent years. But the main problem is that the statements of the debate are based on a limited number of studies and a large lack of rigorous observations. When the glacier’s and their evolution is presented as the main concern, the role of the snow cover and the complex dynamic of the precipitations, including the monsoon, are less often presented as major. Even so they are probably more important in the regional water supply for the different uses (domestic, agricultural or industrial). The purpose is illustrated with two studies currently conducted in the Northern Pakistan and in the Koshi River Basin (Nepal).
Keywords: Hindu Kush-Himalaya, climate change, snow cover.