ICIMOD PRESS RELEASES


FINLAND TO SUPPORT ICIMOD
January 20, 1997

The Finnish Government has decided to contribute U S $ 314,000 to support ICIMOD’s core programme. ICIMOD’s 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 ICIMOD’s core programme on Sustainable Mountain Development. SIDA’s 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 ICIMOD’s 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 ICIMOD’s 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 Majesty’s 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, UNEP’s 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 Hon’ble 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 UNEP’s 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