Context:

=> The oldest known glacial advance from Uttarakhand was observed in the central Himalayas’ Yankti Kuti valley.

=> Through its geomorphological mapping, the scientists were able to identify four events of glaciation that happened during the past 52,000 MIS 3. \

=> The term MIS 3 refers to the alternating warm and cool periods that occurred during the Earth’s Palaeoclimate found through oxygen isotope data reflecting temperature fluctuations.

About the Yankti Kuti valley:

=> Located in Uttarakhand.

=> It is the last valley before the border with Tibet.

=> It runs along a NW to SE axis, formed by the river Kuti Yankti, which is one of the headwaters of the Kali River that forms the boundary between India and Nepal in this region.

=> This valley is mainly dominated by Byansis, one of the four Bhotiya communities of Kumaon, with the others being Johar, Darmiya and Chaudansi.