Dr. Anita Sharma: Temporary Faculty at National Institute of Technology Hamirpur, India
Dr. Anita Sharma is an Environmental Engineer with a specialized focus on Geo-informatics, holding a PhD from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Hamirpur. Her research integrates advanced technologies such as Remote Sensing, GIS, and Deep Learning models to address key environmental challenges, with a particular focus on monitoring glacial lake dynamics and assessing climate change impacts. Dr. Sharma’s work combines interdisciplinary methods to study environmental hazards, such as glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), in high-altitude regions of the Indian Himalayas. Throughout her career, she has shown a commitment to using data-driven solutions to solve pressing environmental issues, contributing significantly to sustainable development in mountainous regions.
Online Profiles
Education
Dr. Sharma earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from NIT Hamirpur, where her dissertation was centered on the application of AI-based deep learning tools for environmental hazard assessment and climate change mitigation. Her doctoral research leveraged GIS, Remote Sensing, and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods for hazard mapping, focusing on glacial lake monitoring and landslide susceptibility in the Northwestern Himalayan region. Prior to her Ph.D., she completed an M.Tech in Environmental Engineering at NIT Hamirpur, specializing in municipal solid waste management, GIS-based land-use analysis, and environmental impact assessments. She also holds a B.Tech in Civil Engineering from the Punjab Institute of Engineering and Applied Research, with a foundation in civil infrastructure and environmental protection.
Research Focus
Dr. Sharma’s research is primarily centered on understanding the dynamics of glacial lakes and their role in climate change, particularly through remote sensing and machine learning techniques. She specializes in glacial lake mapping, glacier retreat, and environmental hazard assessments. By using cutting-edge tools such as Google Earth Engine and deep learning models, she quantifies changes in glacial lake size, surface area, and volume, providing insights into the increasing risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). Additionally, she works on applying Geospatial Technologies for disaster management in mountainous regions, using GIS, Remote Sensing, and deep learning algorithms for landslide prediction and risk mitigation strategies.
Experience
Dr. Sharma’s academic career includes prestigious positions as a Temporary Faculty at both NIT Hamirpur (2025) and Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh (2024-2025). During these roles, she taught core subjects in Environmental Engineering, GIS, and Remote Sensing, developing innovative curricula that incorporate the latest research findings in environmental technology. Her experience in academia is complemented by her research contributions, where she has authored and co-authored several publications related to glacial dynamics, disaster management, and environmental data analysis. She is skilled in working with specialized software tools like ERDAS Imagine, AutoCAD, Revit Architecture, and STAAD Pro for GIS-based environmental modeling.
Research Timeline & Activities
2021: Dr. Sharma published a pivotal paper on Landslide Susceptibility Analysis using machine learning, contributing to the development of predictive models for landslide hazards in the Himalayan region.
2022: She worked on the Glacier Retreat Mapping from 1994-2021, using satellite imagery and deep learning algorithms to quantify the impacts of climate change on glaciers in Himachal Pradesh. Her study was published in Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment.
2023: Her research team focused on Glacial Lake Mapping using deep learning models and satellite images, resulting in significant publications in Modeling Earth Systems and Environment and other journals.
2024: Dr. Sharma’s research efforts culminated in the publication of papers on the detection and mapping of glacial lakes in the Chandra-Bhaga Basin and the development of a deep learning model for more accurate glacial lake identification. She continues to work on innovative methods for climate change adaptation and disaster risk mitigation in mountain ecosystems.
Awards & Honors
MHRD Fellowship: Awarded to Dr. Sharma for her Ph.D. (2019-2024) and M.Tech (2017-2019) studies at NIT Hamirpur, recognizing her academic excellence and research potential.
Patent: She holds a Design Patent for an AI-based Device for Glacier Detection, which offers a novel solution for early detection of glacial lake outbursts and associated flood risks. This technology is aimed at mitigating the devastating effects of GLOFs in high-altitude regions.
Research Fellowships: Dr. Sharma has received several fellowships for research in the areas of remote sensing, GIS, and disaster management, particularly in mountain regions affected by climate change.
Top Noted Publication
1. Quantifying Glacial Lake Changes Using Deep Learning Models in the Northwestern Himalayan Region from 1992 to 2020
Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research
Publication Date: June 2025
DOI: 10.1007/s41742-025-00769-9
Contributors: Anita Sharma, Chander Prakash
Abstract: This article presents a detailed analysis of the changes in glacial lakes in the Northwestern Himalayan region over nearly three decades (1992–2020). Using deep learning models combined with satellite imagery, the study quantifies changes in surface area and volume, which are critical for understanding the impacts of climate change and the potential risks posed by glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). The findings aim to support better disaster management strategies and resource allocation in the region.
2. Glacial Lakes Mapping Using Satellite Images and Deep Learning Algorithms in Northwestern Indian Himalayas
Journal: Modeling Earth Systems and Environment
Publication Date: April 2024
DOI: 10.1007/s40808-023-01885-1
Contributors: Anita Sharma, Chander Prakash
Abstract: This paper investigates the use of satellite imagery and deep learning algorithms for mapping glacial lakes in the Northwestern Indian Himalayas. The study demonstrates how remote sensing technologies can be effectively used to detect and map glacial lakes, offering insights into their expansion or shrinkage due to climatic factors. This research contributes to the development of more accurate models for monitoring environmental changes in high-altitude regions.
3. Deep Learning-Based Glacial Lakes Extraction and Mapping in the Chandra–Bhaga Basin
Journal: Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Publication Date: February 2024
DOI: 10.1007/s12524-024-01829-x
Contributors: Anita Sharma, Vansheika Thakur, Chander Prakash, Amol Sharma, Rajat Sharma
Abstract: This study focuses on the extraction and mapping of glacial lakes in the Chandra–Bhaga Basin using deep learning-based techniques. The paper highlights the application of advanced algorithms to remote sensing data, improving the accuracy of glacial lake detection in this critical region. The findings are crucial for understanding the environmental risks posed by the rapid expansion of glacial lakes and the potential threats of GLOFs to local populations and ecosystems.
Strength for the Best Innovator Award
1. Cutting-Edge Research in Remote Sensing & Deep Learning
Dr. Anita Sharma has demonstrated exceptional innovation in applying Remote Sensing and Deep Learning techniques to the study of glacial lake dynamics and climate change. Her pioneering work on glacial lake mapping and the development of deep learning models for environmental hazard prediction has set new standards in the field. By leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms to process satellite images, she has significantly improved the accuracy of glacial lake detection and environmental risk assessments, providing invaluable tools for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
2. Interdisciplinary Approach to Environmental Hazards
Dr. Sharma has successfully integrated multiple disciplines, including Geo-informatics, Environmental Engineering, and Disaster Management, to create a holistic approach to understanding environmental hazards in high-altitude regions. Her use of GIS and Remote Sensing for mapping glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), landslide susceptibility, and glacier retreat reflects her ability to blend technology with environmental protection. This interdisciplinary expertise has enabled her to provide practical solutions for reducing risks and protecting vulnerable communities in mountainous ecosystems.
3. Development of AI-Based Environmental Solutions
A notable strength of Dr. Sharma’s work is her focus on developing AI-based solutions to monitor and predict environmental changes. Her AI-based device for glacier detection, which is the subject of a design patent, showcases her ability to translate complex scientific research into practical, real-world applications. This innovative technology enables early detection of glacial lake outbursts, providing timely warnings to mitigate the devastating effects of GLOFs in the Himalayas, thereby enhancing community resilience to climate change.
4. Focus on Sustainable Development and Climate Change Mitigation
Dr. Sharma’s work is deeply rooted in the principles of sustainable development, with a particular emphasis on climate change mitigation in mountain ecosystems. Through her research, she has quantified the long-term impacts of glacier retreat and the changing dynamics of glacial lakes, providing crucial data that informs disaster preparedness strategies and sustainable water resource management. Her publications and projects contribute directly to environmental policy-making and disaster risk reduction in vulnerable regions.
5. Leadership and Collaboration in Environmental Research
Dr. Sharma’s role as both a researcher and educator has positioned her as a leader in the environmental engineering field. She has collaborated with a wide range of experts in Remote Sensing, Geospatial Technologies, and AI, leading impactful projects such as glacial lake mapping in the Chandra–Bhaga Basin. As a faculty member, she has also trained the next generation of engineers and scientists, integrating cutting-edge research with practical applications. Her ability to work across interdisciplinary teams and lead complex projects has earned her recognition as an innovator and a driving force in environmental science.