Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography Central Department of Geography, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China Background On 16 to 19 January 2010, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment (IMHE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) organized a workshop supported under International Cooperation Key Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences at Chengdu, China. The main objectives of the workshop were to discuss i) how to enhance collaboration with international partners in the implementation of project and ii) how to keep the project running smoothly. The Central Department of Geography, Tribhuvan University was invited to participate in the workshop. The scientists from the Department of Land Use/Cover Change and Land Resources, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), CAS, Beijing and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) were also attended the workshop. After series of presentations and discussion, it was proposed to start field studies together in the Koshi Basin, a transboundary river between China and Nepal. 1
Accordingly, joint field visits were organized in Koshi basin both in Nepal in downstream and China in upstream. A multidisciplinary team of Chinese scientists from CAS, Nepali scientists from Tribhuvan University and Government Departments, and scientists from ICIMOD participated in the field visits. Field work in the Koshi Basin of Nepal 2
Field work in the Koshi Basin in China After the field visit in the Koshi basin, IMHE organized another workshop on Koshi River Basin Project in Emei Mountain in China from August 23 to August 26, 2010. 3
After closing of the workshop, a meeting was organized between the Chinese scientists led by Prof. Deng Wei and scientists from Central Department of Geography, Tribhuwan University Prof. Narendra Raj Khanal and Mr. Sher Bahadur Gurung to discuss on academic cooperation. During this discussion, an idea of establishing the Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography was emerged. On August 29, 2013, a delegation with six members of Chinese Scientists led by Prof. Deng Wei, Director of the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment (IMHE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu paid visit to Tribhuvan University authorities: Prof. Hira Bahadur Maharjan, Vice Chancellor; Prof. Gunanidhi Nayupane, Rector; and Dr. Bal Mukunda Bhandari, Director of the Centre of International Relation and discussed about the opportunities for strengthening Nepal-China joint scientific and technological cooperation. Prof. Deng Wei and Prof. Ainong Li briefed about proposal for the establishment of Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography. Prof. Padma Chandra Poudel, Head, Central Department of Geography and Prof. Narendra Raj Khanal were also present in the meeting. The proposal was jointly developed by the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment and the Central Department of Geography, Tribhuvan University and submitted to the Foreign Aid Project on Science and Technology for the Developing Countries from International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Science and Technology for financial support. The proposal was accepted and IMHE received support to set up one joint research laboratory in CDG, TU for carrying out scientific research activities through the Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography. On 7 th April 2014, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between CDG, TU and IMHE, CAS for the establishment of Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography and joint research laboratory in the Central Department of Geography, TU. The MOU was signed by Prof. Padma Chandra Poudel, then Head, on behalf of the Central Department of Geography, TU and by Prof. Cui Peng, Academician and Vice-Director on behalf of IMHE, CAS. Dr. Bal Mukunda Bhandari, Director, Centre of International Relations, Tribhuvan University and Dr. Tan Tieniu, Vice Secretary General, CAS and Director General Bureau of International Cooperation, CAS also signed the same MOU as witness. The main objectives for the establishment of Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography are to i) carry out joint research activities to understand the environmental, socio-economic and development processes in the mountain areas; and ii) enhance research capacity through the establishment oflaboratory with scientific instruments and equipment, organizing training programs, and sharing of information by organizing meetings, workshops and conferences. Inauguration of the Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography The Sino-Nepal joint Research Centre for Geography was established and inaugurated in both the institutions. Central Department of Geography, TU, Kathmandu, Nepal The Sino Nepal Joint Research Center for Geography was inaugurated on 28 April 2014 in the premises of Central Department of Geography, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. The center was formally opened by cutting the ribbon jointly by Mr. Bishow Prakash Pandit, Secretary of Ministry of Education, Government of Nepal; Prof. Gunanidhi Neupane, Rector and Acting Vice-Chancellor of TU; Dr. Bal Mukunda Bhandari, Director, the Centre of International Relation, TU; Prof Padma Chandra Poudel, the Head, 4
Central Department of Geography, TU from Nepal; and Prof. Deng Wei, Director of Institute of Mountain Hazards & Environment (IMHE), CAS; and Prof. Donghong Xiong of IMHE from China. Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, CAS, Chengdu, China The Sino-Nepal joint Research Centre for Geography was opened jointly by Prof. Deng Wei, Director General of IMHE, CAS and Prof. Gunanidhi Neupane, Rector, TU. The Director of the Centre of International Relation, Dr. Bal Mukunda Bhandari and the Head of the Central Department of Geography Prof. Padma Chandra Poudel were also present in the inaugural ceremony of the Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography in Institute of Mountain Hazard and Environment, CAS in Chengdu, China. 5
Establishment of Joint Research Laboratory in CDG With support from CAS and MOST, the IMHE set up one joint research laboratory in CDG, TU with scientific instruments and equipment for environmental monitoring focusing on testing of soil and water. The research laboratory is equipped with the following instruments and equipment. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer, UV/VIS spectrophotometer, Air-blowing drier, High speed bench centrifuge; Electric-heated thermostatic water bath cauldron, Sample pulverizer for plant and soil samples, Vertical pressure steam sterilizer, Magnetic strirrer, Thermostat shaking incubato, Acidimeter, Turbidmeter, Electronic balance, Flame photometer, Axotometer, Pure water meter, Soil sampler, Testbed Nylon sieve, Stainless steel soil sieve, Refrigerator etc. This research laboratory was also inaugurated at the same function organized to inaugurate the Sino- Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography on 28 April 2014. 6
Training Programs IMHE organized first training program for the faculties and administrative staffs of CDG, TU to with objective of enhancing experimental and laboratory management skills from 11 June 10 July, 2014 in Chengdu. Dr. Moti Lal Ghimire, Associate Professor; Mr. Sher Bahadur Gurung, Lecturer and Mr. Gyanu Raja Maharjan, Head Office Assistant of CDG participated in this training program. The second training program was organized from 10-28 April, 2017. It was attended by Mr. Umesh Kumar Mandal, Professor; Mr. Dhyanendra Bahadur Rai, Associate Professor; and Mr. Chhabilal Chidi, Lecturer from CDG, TU. 7
Scientific Study One of the objectives of the joint research centre is to understand the environmental and development processes in the mountain areas through field studies. Both institutions have their own Journal- Journal of Mountain Sciences (both in Chinese and English language) of the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, CAS and the Geographical Journal of Nepal of the Central Department of Geography, Tribhuvan University. The results and findings of the joint field studies in the form of research article will be published in these journals. But it is not limited only in these journals. Depending on the nature of research articles, those can be published in other national and international journals as well. Research Expedition to Rasuwa District, Nepal The Gorkha earthquake of April 2015, killed more than 8,000 people, damaged properties and infrastructure such as road, bridges, hydropower projects. It also caused may geohazards such as landslides, landslide dam and outburst floods. Rasuwa was one of the severly affected districts from the earthquake. Arniko highway linking Nepal and China was damaged severly. As a result the international trade between China and Nepal via Kodari and Khasa (Jamu) was closed. The Chinese government opened another route for international trade via Kerog (Jiollion) along Bhote Koshi/Trisuli river and large part of the basin area in Nepal lies in Rasuwa district. It is in this context that a scientific visit in Rasuwa 8
district with objective of assessing the environmental and livehood changes due to earthquake and opening of new international trade route was proposed. Scientist from both the IMHE and CDG visited Rasuwa district from 13 March 2016. This study visit was coordinated by Dr. Hridaya Lal Koirala, Professor, Central Department of Geography. Other team members of CDG were Dr. Narendra Raj Khanal, Professor and Mr. Dhyanendra Bahadur Rai, Associate Professor. A five member team of scientists from IMHE - Dr. Jianqiang Zhang, Dr. Wei Zhao, Dr. Jun Zhou, Dr. Xi Nan, and Dr. Jifei Zhang scientist from IMHE participated in the field studies. Hazard and Risk Assessment With financial support from Bhote Koshi Power Company Pvt. Ltd., a joint study on the assessment of hazards in Poiqu/Bhote Koshi basin with focus on impacts on Upper Bhote Koshi Hydroelectricity Project from the flash flood of on July 05, 2016 and the potential risk to the project is being carried out. IMHE has been assessing the hazard along Poiqu basin in the upper part in China and CDG in Bhote Koshi in the downstream area. Exchange Visit The Head, Central Department was invited by the Institute of Mountain Hazard and Environment, CAS to attend the closing ceremony of the training on April 28, 2017 and discuss on future collaborative research. Discussion on the concept and proposal in the three areas was held with the principal 9
investigator. Those proposals are i) Study on Eco-Environmental Risk and Ecosystem Based Adaptation Management for Abandoned Farmland In The Mountain Region of Nepal and China led by Prof. Wang Yukuan, IMHE; ii) Soil and Water Resources Utiliazation in Nepal led by Prof. Donghong Xiong, and iii) the Mechanism and Early warning Model on Giant Transboundary Mountain Hazards Chain in Himalaya led by Prof. Chen Ningsheng. Discussion was also held with Prof. Deng Wei and his team for field study in Koshi Basin. In addition, discussion was also held for further development of Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography and its was felt that there is need to form management and academic committees involving the scientists from both the institute and develop formal working procedures. Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment Chinese Academy of Sciences Chengdu, China Central Department of Geography Tribhuvan University Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal 10