ICIMOD PRESS RELEASES
FINLAND TO SUPPORT ICIMOD
January 20, 1997
The Finnish Government has decided to contribute U S $ 314,000 to support ICIMODs core
programme. ICIMODs uniqueness lies in its focus on the eco-region of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas
and this support is a manifestation of the ever-increasing concern of donor governments and
organisations for poverty alleviation and environmental conservation in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas.
Based on experiences gained in the past, ICIMOD has reexamined and redirected its activities
since 1st January 1995 when it embarked on a four-year Regional Collaborative Programme. The
programme addresses key issues of sustainable mountain development from an integrated
perspective and is the conceptual and organisational framework for implementing the four
mandatory activities of ICIMOD, i.e., documentation and information exchange, research, training,
and advisory services.
The Finnish Government has become the seventh donor supporting this programme on Sustainable
Mountain Development. The others include Austria, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden
and Switzerland. Twelve other countries and organisations support projects on specific subjects.
Having focused on strengthening its human resources as well as its regional partner institutions in the
first two years, with such increasing support ICIMOD is now better equipped and geared to help
improve the living standards of populations of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas and their environments
through an integrated approach.
Space Informatics: Current Development in the Field of Information
December 12, 1996
Owing to the difficult topography of mountain regions, including inaccessibility, and thereby lack of
accurate information base, the decision-making process and implementation of developmental plans
do not often meet desired expectations. The inherent diversity, marginality, and varying biophysical
and socioeconomic values present great impediments for the use of Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing Technology. The ability to design and implement effective
polices and programs in this dynamic environment is dependent on prompt and thorough analysis of
current resources, their limitations, and changes. The implementation of GIS can be facilitated if data
is collected, merged, and analyzed to provide information and output in a form that decision-makers
can understand and use thereby addressing the problems of unscientific and inadequate use and
management of the natural resources and environment. The process of using information in planning
and decision making must be institutionalized and the information must be in a readily available form.
This is where a GIS and Remote Sensing Technology come into play. It integrates biophysical and
socioeconomic data and indicates alternative strategies for decision-makers.
Despite widespread use of GIS in the global context, the implementation of GIS for mountain
regions should be considered in a different perspective than for the lowlands. The lack of the
experience in handling truly three-dimensional GIS which is the prevailing technology, and dearth of
trained manpower and accurate multi-sectoral data hinder its appropriate application. Recent
advances in the Remote Sensing Technology with new earth resources satellites on orbit like
Advanced Earth Observing Satellite of Japan will definitely give new dimension to mountain
resource management.
Last year in 1995, the first space informatics seminar for the mountain ecosystems was organized in
Mongolia, and a similar seminar for tropical ecosystem management was held in Figi in August
1996. This "Second Space Informatics Seminar for Sustainable Development - Mountain
Resources Management" is jointly organized by the United Nations Centre for Regional
Development, National Space Development Agency of Japan, Ministry of Population &
Environment of His Majesty's Government of Nepal and International Centre for Integrated
Mountain Development. ICIMOD is involved in constructing GIS databases with national
collaborating institutions for wider exchange between national and regional institutions. In this
regard, this seminar is an additional milestone for the partnership and collaboration with the global,
regional, and national institutions.
Over 70 participants, mostly representing the eight member countries of ICIMOD, are attending the
seminar. The resource persons are mostly from the regional institutions and universities. The
tentative program, being held in Kathmandu, involves presentations of about a dozen technical
papers, one day field trip around Kakani area to show the application of remote sensing and GIS
techniques, and group discussions. The seminar will be followed by two and half days workshop on
the same theme. During the seminar/workshop, there will be exhibits on state-of-art technology
related to Remote Sensing and GIS from the participating institutions and several other Japanese
organizations/companies.
The seminar/workshop will benefit resources planners, managers, application scientists, and
researchers of the Hindu Kush Himalayan region to better understand the recent developments in
space remote sensing and GIS technologies and their applications for resources management.
Through this seminar/workshop ICIMOD and its regional member countries can develop in the near
future some fruitful application programs with the National Space Development Agency of Japan
(NASDA Japan) for natural resources' management in the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region.
SWEDEN TO SUPPORT ICIMOD
November 21, 1996
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) has become the sixth donor organisation supporting ICIMODs core programme on Sustainable Mountain Development. SIDAs commitment to contribute US $ 200,000 per year for the next 3 years is an indication of the ever-increasing concern of donor governments and organisations for improving the living standards of mountain populations and their environment through an integrated approach. Over the past two years the donor contributions to ICIMODs core programme have more than doubled and the countries supporting ICIMOD in this way now include Austria, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland. Twelve other countries and organisations support projects on specific subjects. The Swedish announcement was most opportune and welcome at this time as next week ICIMODs Board of Governors and Support Group will meet in Pokhara to discuss the 1997 Work Programme and Budget.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT OUTLOOK DISCUSSED BY
SUB-REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS
July 22, 1996
The Ministry of Population and Environment of His Majestys Government, together with the South
Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP, Colombo), the International Centre for
Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP), organised a consultation programme with senior officials from the Ministries of
Environment of the South Asian Region from 23-24 July, 1996.
The Meeting was attended by representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives,
Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and from the host organisations: ICIMOD, SACEP, UNEPs
Environment Assessment Programme for the Asia Pacific Region (UNEP-EAP.AP), and UNEP,
Nairobi.
The Honourable Minister for Population and Environment, Mr. Prakash Man Singh, inaugurated the
Meeting at ICIMOD. The Honble Minister welcomed the participants and highlighted the
importance of the "GEO 1 Report" and expressed appreciation of the efforts put in by the
international and regional organisations (ICIMOD & SACEP) for jointly co-hosting the
Consultation with assistance from UNEP.
Mr. Taka Hiraishi, Director, Division of Environment Information and Assessment, UNEP, briefed
the meeting on the background and purpose of the GEO 1 Project.
The overall objectives of the Meeting were to review the draft GEO I Report and to have mutual
consultations on environmental legislation and enforcement. The GEO project is UNEPs response
to the 18th GC session of the UN requesting a new, comprehensive report on the state of the global
environment now and until the year 2015. The draft document was prepared in close collaboration
with relevant international, regional and national organisations and institutions. The report aims to
highlight the essential problems of and threats to the environment, basic trends in environmental
change, population increase, and consumption and production patterns. It also includes the
recommended actions and measures, such as institutional and legal measures, that could effectively
reverse unwelcome trends.
The Meeting reviewed the GEO Report and presented comments and suggestions for its
improvement.
IMPORTANT GEOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN SUNKOSHI AND
BHOTEKOSHI
May 8, 1996
A research project on "Hazard Mitigation in Northern Sunkoshi and Bhotekoshi Water Catchment
Areas" has come across major geological findings in the area, indicating the need to adopt a new
approach to infrastructural development and watershed management. The project, implemented by
ITECO Eng. Ltd, a Swiss company with a great deal of experience in the Himalayan region, in
collaboration with ICIMOD, ITECO-NP, and the Swiss National Servey of Hydrology and
Geology, carried out research on the fragile thick quaternary deposits of the Bhotekoshi and upper
Sunkoshi catchment areas. This research was funded by the International UNO Decade on the
Prevention of Natural Disasters and partly by Swiss Development Cooperation. A National Group
comprising of representatives from HMG line agencies, including the National Planning Commission,
carried out extensive review of the project proposal and provided important inputs to the project
activities.
Geological and hazard mapping, as well as surveyance of specific instabilities damaging farmlands
and threatening the Arniko Highway were among its activities. The design of small-scale engineering
and bioengineering measures to control the instabilities surveyed was also finalised. Hydrological
studies linked to debris flows and instabilities on specific streams and sites were also carried out.
Several teachers and graduates of the Department of Geology of Tribhuvan University as well as
other Nepalese professionals, were trained on-the-job and consequently formed the survey team.
Six Swiss expatriates participated in the project as trainers and implements.
The research results confirmed that the fragile and thick quaternary deposits in the area were of
glacial origin. Very deep glacial Pale-valleys filled by glacial or glacio-fluviatile sediments were
identified by means of the seismic reflection method as low as 700masl, and it confirmed the output
of electrical soundings implemented earlier on the occasion of the Arniko Highway Project. Such
Pale-valleys are located below or along the present riverbeds. The study of sediment exposures
with typical glacial depositional features, the presence in deposits of pollens indicating cold climate
vegetation, and other findings are convergent facts indicating that the valleys were glaciated in the
remote past. The Charnawati Rehabilitation Project as well as the HMWA project could also
identify a typical till and thick glacial sediments in the Charnawati catchment area. It is therefore
highly probable that other valleys of the northern hills were also glaciated at low altitudes during the
same period.
This is a new and important geological finding in Nepal.
Such a new sight of quaternary geology has important implications. Besides the input brought to the
science of glacial geology and what the presence of low altitude glaciation implies for a better
understanding of climatic changes during the Quaternary Era, the presence of major glacial
depositional zones within populated areas of the northern foothills belt is fraught with other
consequences.
One important issue rests in the fact that, when flowing through thick glacial sediments, the rivers
and streams strongly undercut their banks and undermine their beds, mainly during high flow periods
and floods. These processes result in landslides which infill the stream-riverbeds and may dam them,
with obvious catastrophic consequences, e.g., floods and debris flows. These whole processes
recur again when the rivers and streams have acquired a new bed profile. The nature of the
sediments is also favourable to the storage of perched water tables, another cause of landslides and
mudslides.
This throws light on the causes of recurring landslides taking place on farmlands. Bridges
constructed on the margins of or within the corridor influenced by stream- river erosion processes
cannot be safe. The same applies to dam and dam reservoirs. In the case of the reservoirs, the
slopes located in glacial deposits are weakened by the buoyancy effect and may fail with, as a
result, rapid silting and, if a major landslide occurs, wave flooding. In the worst situation damaging
or breaching of the dam may take place. In addition piping may occur below the dam.
The finding of these glacial deposits at low altitudes implies that new approaches to infrastructural
projects and watershed management are needed. This means that quaternary mapping, and
especially, mapping of the glacial deposits are crucial for Nepal . This is the first time that such a
mapping has been carried out.
A final workshop for the project is being held at ICIMOD from 8 - 10 May. The results are being
analysed and discussed by a total of 45 participants, including Nepalese scientists, HMG line
departments officers, representatives of development cooperation agencies, and practitioners from
private companies. A field trip along the Arniko Highway (with a visit to glacial deposit exposures
and landslides) is part of the programme. The last day of the workshop is dedicated to final
discussions and recommendations.
ICIMOD publishes GIS database
April 17
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has recently published a
GIS (Geographic Information Systems) database of key indicators of sustainable mountain
development in Nepal, on the basis of statistical and other information provided to ICIMOD by
various organisations and institutions, according to ICIMOD press release received here the other
day.
The maps provide a spatial view of a whole range of perspective such as location, physiography,
climate, demography, socioeconomic characteristics, agriculture and hydrology. While some of the
maps have been published earlier, there are many new maps generated by ICIMOD through
analysis of new data on climatic and socioeconomic aspects. The value of GIS as a tool for
integrating different types of data is clearly demonstrated by these maps. The document also
indicates the practical value of GIS for local-level planning and for highlighting the spatial
consequences of development decisions and activities, the release said.
According to the release, there are altogether 53 colour maps, computer-generated at ICIMOD's
Mountain Environment and Natural Resources Information Service. The maps are supported by an
introductory section explaining the genesis of the maps and the issues arising during compilation.
There are also appendices with useful complementary information on the structure of the database,
standard district codes, and ecological legends. ICIMOD hopes that all those involved in integrated
mountain development will not only use this database but also provide inputs to updating the
information therein.
REGIONAL COLLABORATION FOR HYDROLOGY IN THE HINDU
KUSH
March 22, 1996
The Hindu Kush-Himalayas are a store house of immense water and yet drinking water is a scarce
commodity for millions of dwellers of mountains. Seasonality, steep slope and extreme climate
create significant variances in the availability of water. Excessive rainfall, particularly during the
monsoon, causes large-scale damage to life and property. Proper management of water supplies is
crucial to sustainable development in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas. In an attempt to increase
understanding of the hydrology of the region UNESCO/IHP, the International Centre for Integrated
Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in cooperation with UNESCO/MAB, WMO, IGBP/BAHC
and IAHS have come together to organise a Regional Workshop on Hydrology of the Hindu
Kush-Himalayas.
The Workshop held in ICIMOD focusses on the importance of water resources and the efficient
use and delivery of water, whether in the form of power or as a basic physiological need. The
workshop is a continuation of regional collaborative activities started under UNESCO IHP-IV
Project H-5-6, and will focus on ways and means for a more effective collaboration between the
countries of the HKH in hydrological studies. The Workshop is expected to launch the
establishment of a new FRIEND-type group within the region.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. D. N. Dhungel, Secretary, HMG/N, Ministry of Water
Resources. Other speakers on the occassion were Mr. Egbert Pelinck D.G.; ICIMOD; Mr. Kiran
Shankar Yogacharya, DG. DHM; Mr. L. A. Mandalia UNESCO; Dr. Z. W. Kundzewicz, WMO;
Prof. A. Herrmann , German IHP/OHP Committee; and Prof. S. R. Chalise, ICIMOD. There are
altogether 30 participants, two nominees each from the eight countries of the HKH, and experts
representing the Institute of Hydrology - UK, Global Runoff Data Centre, and also those from
Japan, UK, and Germany.
MOUNTAIN FOCUS NEEDED FOR AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
AND RESEARCH
Feburary 14, 1996
Hindu Kush-Himalayan Scientists and Educators Meet
From 23-26 January, more than 60 agricultural scientists and educationists gather in Kathmandu to
participate in the "Regional Consultation on Research and Education for Sustainable Mountain
Agriculture." The meeting is organised by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain
Development (ICIMOD) in recognition of the fact that traditional research and educational systems
have not adequately taken into account the specific nature of mountain agriculture and the
indigenous knowledge that the farmers of the mountains already possess. As mountain areas open
up and come into contact with the wider market economy, different cropping patterns are needed to
respond to the new aspirations of mountain farmers for increasing their income and improving their
livelihoods.
A critical issue requiring special attention is the migration of male workers from the hills and
mountains to the plains, urban centres, and abroad, which has left the responsibility for mountain
farming to female-headed households. This also needs new thinking in the context of agricultural
research and education; fields still largely dominated by men.
Among the participants at the meeting are 20 Vice Chancellors from Universities based in the Hindu
Kush-Himalayas and a similar number of high-level functionaries from National Agricultural
Research Centres. Another 20 participants represent Ministries of Agriculture, NGOs, and other
organisations with a mandate for agricultural extension.
The Consultation is intended to provide a platform for sharing experiences in mountain-specific
research and education, to discuss issues of common concern, and to identify priority areas for
action at national and regional levels. High on the agenda will be an assessment of the adequacy of
the current curricula of mountain agricultural Universities and ways for their improvement. The
meeting is also expected to help develop linkages and cooperation among agricultural research and
educational institutions of the Hindu Kush-Himalayan Region, including better mechanisms for
information exchange among the concerned institutions, international agricultural centres, and
ICIMOD.
Additional information can be obtained from:
ICIMOD, P.O Box, 3226 Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel. (977-1)-525-313
Fax (977-1)-524509, (977-1)-524317
email: dits@icimod.org.np