home

Smriti Basnett

Project Scientist-III

Divecha Centre for Climate Change
Indian Institute of Science,
Bengaluru-560012
Karnataka
India

Email: smritibasnett@iisc.ac.in/smriti.basnett@futureearth.org

Tel: +91-80-2293-3425

Education

PhD - 04/2014 Glacier and Snow Studies in Sikkim Himalaya using remote sensing techniques, Dept. Faculty of Science, Nirma University, Gujarat. India (Dr. Anil V. Kulkarni).

MSc, 06/2006 ,Dept. Geography, Bangalore University.

Bachelor’s Degree, B.A (honours),04/2004 , Dept. Geography, Miranda House, University of Delhi.

CISCE Degree, High School,04/2002 , Dept. Humanities, Tashi Namgyal Academy, Sikkim.

ICSE Certificate, Class X, 03/1999 ,St. Joseph’s Convent, Kalimpong, Darjeeling.

Employment

CURRENT EMPLOYMENT/ ASSOCIATIONS

01/2021
– ongoing Deputy Director, Future Earth Global Secretariat Hub-South, Project Scientist-III, Divecha Centre for Climate Change, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.

07/2018
– ongoing Asian Co-Leader/Project Coordinator: Himalayan Glaciers and Risks to Local Communities, International Geoscience/United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation Programme (IGCP/UNESCO), Project No. IGCP 672.

2021
– ongoing Fellow-Visiting Scientist: River Basin and Cryosphere Regional Programme, The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu, Nepal.

2019
– ongoing Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, Centre of excellence on Water resources, Cryosphere and climate Change studies, Sikkim University.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

01/2019 – 2021
Program Coordinator, Future Earth South Asia Regional Office, Senior Researcher, Divecha Centre for Climate Change, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.

08/2015 – 09/2018
Research Associate, DST-NMSHE Project: The Himalayan Cryosphere: Science, Society and Policy, Inter University Consortium on Cryosphere and Climate Change (IUCCCC), Sikkim University.

05/2014 – 02/2015
Post Doctorate Fellow, ISRO Project: Monitoring snow and glaciers of Himalayan Region, Divecha Centre for Climate Change, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore.

06/2011 – 12/2013
Senior Research Fellow, Divecha Centre for Climate Change, IISc, Bangalore.

09/2008 – 02/2010
Junior Research Fellow, Sikkim Glacier Commission, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Gangtok, Govt. of Sikkim. Collaboration: Space Application Centre, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). MWRG unit.

FIELDS OF EXCELLENCE/ INTEREST

• South Asia Regional Development: Community Development, Research Program Development and Capacity Building.

• Climate Change Impacts and Risks in High Elevation Environments and Hindu-Kush Himalayan Region (glaciers, high-altitude lakes, GLOFs, changing agricultural practices, human migration, encouraging yak herding and traditional farming practices in the Himalayas, water management)

• Glacier monitoring – Field-based glacier mass balance; Monitoring snow and glacial melt river discharge in Sikkim Himalayas

• Project and Program Coordination and Management; Networking; Public Relations.

    PUBLICATIONS
  1. 2022 Basnett Smriti. (2022). Future Earth and its prospects in South Asia. Current Science, Vol. 123, No. 8, p 0955.
  2. 2022 Zimik, H.V., Angchuk, T., Misra, A.K., Ranjan R.K., Wanjari N and Basnett S. GIS-based identification of potential watershed recharge zones using analytic hierarchy process in Sikkim Himalayan region. Appl Water Sci 12, 248 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-022-01758-5
  3. 2019 Basnett Smriti and Kulkarni A. V. (2019). 'Snow cover changes observed in Sikkim Himalaya' in Saikia and Thapa, (ed.) Environmental Change in the Himalayan Region: Twelve Case Studies, Springer Nature Switzerland AG; ISBN: 978-3-030-03361-3.
  4. 2017 Basnett Smriti and Ghuman S. (2017). Herding in Thin Air. Proceedings, IMI-FAO workshop on New Age Himalayan Farmers, NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi, 29-30 November, 2017.
  5. 2013 Basnett Smriti, Kulkarni A. V, Bolch, T. (2013). Influence of debris-cover and glacial lakes on recession of glaciers in Sikkim Himalaya, India. Journal of Glaciology, 59 (218), 1035-1046.
  6. 2012 Basnett, S., Kulkarni A. V. (2012). Monitoring the Seasonal Snow Cover in Sikkim Himalaya Using Remote Sensing, Climate Change in Sikkim Patterns, Impacts and Initiatives, Published by: Information and Public Relations Department Government of Sikkim, Gangtok, ISBN: 978-81-920437-0-9.
    7. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
  7. 2011 Smriti Basnett, A. V. Kulkarni, M.L. Arrawatia, and D. G. Shrestha, 2011, Glacier Studies in Sikkim Himalaya, Report No. IISC/DCCC/GLACIER /TR / 001/2011, pages 31.
  8. 2010 Smriti Basnett, A.V. Kulkarni, Bahuguna. I. M, B. P. Rathore M. L. Arrawatia, D.G. Shrestha. Monitoring Sikkim Cryosphere, Snow Monitoring (2004-2008) and Glacier Study (1990-1991-2004). Report No. SAC/RESA/MESG/SGP/SN/ 56 /2010).
  9. 2009 Smriti Basnett, A.V. Kulkarni, B.P.Rathore, M. L. Arrawatia, D .G. Shrestha. Snow Cover Atlas of Sikkim (2007-2008), Report No. SAC/RESA/MESG/SGP/SN/ 43 /2009
  10. 2008 Smriti Basnett, A.V. Kulkarni, B.P.Rathore M.L.Arrawatia, D .G. Shrestha. Snow Cover Atlas of Sikkim (2004-2005), Report No. SAC/RESA/MESG/SGP/SN/ 40 /2008.
    11. CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION/PRESENTATIONS
  11. 2022 Exhibit Presentation. Presented on Future Earth at the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27), 6- 20 November, 2022, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
  12. 2022 Member Participation: Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS-XI), ‘Harnessing Tourism for Sustainable Mountain Development”, hosted by Sustainable Development Forum of Ladakh and Ladakh Hill Development Council at Leh, Ladakh, 8-12 Oct, 2022. Impact: 500 delegates from mountain states, IMI members,
  13. 2022 Member Participation: Mountain Legislators' Meet, “Extended Producer Responsibility: Policy to Practice, to counter plastic pollution”, Assembly House, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh (LAHDC), October 11, 2022. Impact: around 30 head of states from IHR attended.
  14. 2019 Invited Speaker. Human Mobility, Cryosphere-society linkages – understanding from socio-ecological perspective’. International Forum on the Cryosphere and Society: The Voice of the HKH’, 28-30 August 2019, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Nepal.
  15. 2019 Presenter: Co benefits of power sector decarbonization for air quality and human health in India. Presented the work of DCCC at the Annual meeting of Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) of Monsoon Asia Integrated Research for Sustainability Study-Future Earth (MAIRS-FE) & the International Forum on Innovations in the Food, Land, Energy and water systems in Asia. 22-25 May 2019, Nanjing, China.
  16. 2019 Presentation on Future Earth activities at DCCC. Meeting of the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) for Future Earth (FE) in Asia, discussed the developments in Asia and presented updates on various research activities and interventions. July 2-3, 2019, Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN), Kyoto, Japan.
  17. 2018 Basnett Smriti. A history of Apple and Orange growth and decline in Sikkim, presented at the Integrated Mountain Initiative Workshop, Office of the Member of Parliament- LS, Sikkim, September 1, 2018.
  18. 2018 Nominated, Regional Conference on Cryosphere, Glacier Melting and Mountain Economy in the HKKH Region”, organized by the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE), Government of Nepal and Centre for Green Economy Development, Nepal (CGED-N. 17-18 September, 2018 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
  19. 2018 Basnett Smriti. Melting Mountains and Preliminary work by Sikkim University (A Video), presented at the International Conference on the State of the Cryosphere in the Himalaya, 19-20 February, 2018, Gangtok, Sikkim.
  20. 2017 Basnett Smriti and Ghuman S. Herding in Thin Air. Proceedings, IMI-FAO workshop on New Age Himalayan Farmers, NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi, 29-30 November, 2017.
  21. 2017 Basnett Smriti. Melting Mountains, a documentary presented at the Sustainable Mountain Development Meeting VI (SMDM-VI), hosted by Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI) (inmi.in) Mizoram University, 19-22 September, 2017. Aizwal, Mizoram.
  22. 2017 Basnett Smriti and Ghuman Sartaj. Sikkim Himalaya Cryosphere - The study of snow, glaciers, lakes and mountain people: Preliminary observations. International Symposium on The Cryosphere In a Changing Climate, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand, 12–17 February 2017.
  23. 2016 Basnett Smriti, A case of receding glaciers – Sikkim, presented at the Sustainable Mountain Development Meeting V (SMDM-V), September 20-22, 2016, Leh-Ladakh, J&K.
  24. 2014 Basnett S, Kulkarni, A. V. Glacier and Lake monitoring in Sikkim Himalaya. Second International Conference on Cryosphere of the Hindu Kush Himalaya: State of the knowledge, ICIMOD, Kathmandu. May 13-15.
  25. 2013 Basnett S, Kulkarni, A. V, Bolch, T. The status of glaciers in Sikkim Himalaya, (poster) presented at American Geophysical Union (AGU), San Francisco, California, 9-13 December, 2013.
  26. 2013 Basnett S, Kulkarni A.V. Influence of supra and moraine-dammed lakes on the glacier retreat in Sikkim Himalaya, presented at Fourth National Research Conference on Climate Change, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, October 26-27, 2013. Best poster awarded.
  27. 2013 Basnett S, Kulkarni A.V. Decadal Seasonal Snow Cover Changes in Sikkim Himalaya, presented at Davos Atmosphere and Cryosphere Assembly (DACA 2013), Switzerland, July 8-12, 2013.
  28. 2012 Basnett S., Kulkarni A.V. Decadal Seasonal Snow Cover Changes in Sikkim Himalaya, presented at the 3rd National Research Conference on Climate Change, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, November 3-4, 2012.
  29. 2012 Basnett S., Kulkarni A.V. Monitoring seasonal snow cover in Sikkim Himalaya, presented at International Symposium on Cryosphere and Climate Change. Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE), Manali, India. April 2-4, 2012.
  30. 2010 Basnett S, Kulkarni A.V., Rathore B.P., Arrawatia M.L., Shrestha D.G. Snow cover monitoring and snow distribution in Sikkim Himalayas, presented at National Research Conference on Climate Change, IIT-Delhi. March 5-6, 2010.
  31. 2010 Basnett S, Kulkarni A.V., Rathore B.P., Arrawatia M.L., Shrestha D.G. Monitoring Sikkim Himalayan Cryosphere, presented at International Symposium, Benefiting from Earth Observation 2010, Kathmandu, Nepal. (ICIMOD). October 4 – 6, 2010.
(EVENTS) MANAGERIAL SKILLS/ LEADERSHIP

2022
Convenor and Organiser: Future Earth Webinar Series. Addressing malnutrition, risks to coastal communities, regional planning and associated health risks in South Asia, Impact: Stakeholder engagement through Webinars: 53 Speakers, 400 attendees. Newsletter of the Divecha Centre for Climate Change. Vol.7, Issue.1, 2022. P 2-6. Jan-June 2022.

2021
Convenor and Organiser: Future Earth South Asia Webinar Series. Webinar on 'Best Practices: Deliberating on a Way Forward: Steering Communities Towards Sustainability: Lessons from Long-term Practitioners; The Air We Breathe; The Water We Drink - Health Risks from Pollution; Sustainable Agro-Ecology in the India Himalayan Region (IHR); Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Working the Water-Energy-Food Nexus; Bridging the Gaps Between Science, Policy and Practice, co-organised by Future Earth South and the Future Earth National-Committee. Impact. 17 eminent speakers and 450 registrants. 11-12 March 2021.

2019
Consultant: Sikkim University Curriculum. Framing a new glaciology coursework for Sikkim University, Department of Geology and Environment Science. 2019.

2019
Co-Organiser: Conference, 'Towards a Sustainable Water Future' Bengaluru, India on 24-27 September, 2019. Organised by Divecha Centre for Climate Change, Indian Institute of Science and The Sustainable Water Future Programme. Impact: 105 sessions, 16 themes 500 abstract submissions, and 800 global participants.

2019
Co-Convenor: High Panel Parliamentarians/ Legislators Dialogue at the Water Future Conference: with a special focus on the increasing water security challenge in the country. Organized by Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI) supported by Divecha Centre for Climate Change (IISc) and IHCAP. 'Towards a Sustainable Water Future' Bengaluru, India on 24-27 September, 2019

2019
Co-Convenor and Co-Organiser: 1st Governing Council Meeting, Future Earth, South Asia, 23rd September 2019. Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

2018
Organizer and Coordinator: Apple and Orange think shop: rethinking fruit cultivation in Sikkim, IMI initiative- Sikkim Chapter, Office of the Member of Parliament-LS, Govt. of Sikkim. September 1, 2018.

2018
Conference Coordinator: International Conference on State of the Cryosphere, 19-20 February, 2018, Sikkim.

2018
Coordinator: Legislators' Meet on 'Himalayan Glaciers and Water Security of the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, March 27, 2018.

2018-2018
Setup: A glacier study field site in Sikkim University - Installed high altitude Automatic Weather Station; Established a glacier river discharge site and recced twelve glaciers in North Sikkim. 2015-2018.

2015-2018
Team Leader: Glacier Expedition to Changkhang, Khangpup, Tembawa glaciers, North Sikkim. 2015-2018.

2017
Organizer: Tree walks in Gangtok for School and Public, Sikkim. 2017.

2018
Consultant: Consultant to the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Govt. of Sikkim, 2018. Book and Syllabus Contribution: Class III Environmental Studies. Chapter Contribution – Chapter on Snow and Glaciers. Draft in Progress. May 2018.

2017
Team Leader: Youth Leader-Sikkim, Youth Summit at the Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS- VI), Integrated Mountain Initiative (inmi.in) with LEAD India (Leadership for Environment and Development), Aizwal, Mizoram. 18-23 September 2017.

Capacity Building Workshop

2019 Capacity Building: “Debris-covered glaciers from remote sensing and field-based tools to local communities”, Geological Society of London, Burlington House, 2-4 September 2019, organised by the International Geoscience Programme: IGCP/UNESCO Project 672: Himalayan glaciers and risks to local communities.

2018 Organizer and Trainer: “Geo-hazard mapping and capacity building programme in Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal”, IGCP/UNESCO Project: IGCP 672. 2018 and ongoing.

AWARDS/ FELLOWSHIPS/ACCOLADES
  • 2022 Basnett Smriti, recognised and featured in the Women who Move Mountain Series 2022, International Mountain Day, hosted by Darjeeling Himalaya Initiative (DHI) and Integrated Mountain Initiative-Sikkim and Kalimpong TV. Dec 2022.
  • 2019 Basnett Smriti, In the Spotlight, Hindu Kush Himalaya, CRYOHUB, ICIMOD
  • 2013 Davos Atmosphere and Cryosphere Assembly-2013 (DACA-13) student grant, by International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS), July 8-12, Switzerland.
  • 2013 Berkner Travel Fellowship at the 2013 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting, 9-13 December in San Francisco, CA.
  • 2018 HUC-IHCAP Fellow, HUC-IHCAP Glacier Monitoring Theory and Field Training Programme, organized by ICIMOD-HUC and University of Fribourg, Switzerland, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Kathmandu and Langtang, Nepal. November 11- December 5, 2018.
Professional Trainings
  • HUC-IHCAP Glacier Monitoring Theory and Field Training Programme, organized by ICIMOD-HUC and University of Fribourg, Switzerland, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), with support from the Government of Australia through Strengthen Water Resources Management in Afghanistan Initiative (SWaRMA). Kathmandu and Langtang, Nepal. November 11- December 5, 2018.
  • Training on glacial lake hazard mapping using remote sensing and GIS techniques, organized by Aberystwyth University, UK, funded by International Geoscience Program (IGCP)/UNESCO 672 ‘Himalayan glaciers and risks to local communities’ project, Dhulikhel, Nepal. Nov 1 – 5, 2018.
  • Training on glacier studies, Climate Change and Remote Sensing, Divecha Centre for Climate Change, Indian Institute of Science, funded by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi. March 4-15, 2013.
  • Field Training Course in Glaciology organized by Regional Training Institute, Geological Survey of India, Lucknow, funded by Department of Science and Technology- Delhi, Manali/Hamtah Glacier, Himachal Pradesh. August 6 August – Sept 4, 2012.
  • Snow characterization workshop, Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE), Manali (H.P), April 14 -17, 2009.
Extracurricular Activities

Paraglider Pilot: Para Gliding P-1 and P-2 LEVEL degree, National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (NIMAS), Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh. 2016.

Skier: Skiing basic-level degree, Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports, 2015.

Table Tennis: Represented Sikkim in Junior and Senior Nationals. 1998 – 2002.

Yoga Instructor: Certified by Rishikesh Yogpeeth, September 11- October 18, 2018.

Choreographer: Dance Society, Miranda House, University of Delhi. 2003-2004

Volunteer: Village School Development, Dzongu, North Sikkim.

Copyright 2018 · All rights reserved.
Web Mail