Disaster Extreme and Environmental Remote Sensing

Area of research: Quantification and valuation of losses of ecosystem services due to natural hazards in Western Himalayan Region, India. Natural hazards such as landslides, floods, forest fires, and Glofs can cause significant damage to ecosystems, leading to the loss of important ecosystem services. Ecosystem services refer to the benefits that humans derive from ecosystems, such as clean air, food and water, pollination, and nutrient cycling. The main objective of the proposed research is to quantify the socio-economic losses occurred due to the landslides, flash-floods, forest fire, and Glofs in the Western Himalayan Region of India using field and remote sensing data. The quantification of the losses of ecosystem services is to estimate the physical damage to the ecosystem caused by the natural hazards. This can involve assessing the extent of the damage to vegetation, soil, and water resources, as well as the impact on wildlife and other species. Quantifying and valuing the losses of ecosystem services due to natural hazards can help policymakers and decision-makers understand the true costs of these events and make informed decisions about how to manage and mitigate the risks associated with them.