International Workshop on Himalayan Freshwater organized by Nepal Engineering College

 Faculty necCPS Delivered Guest Lectures at Prestigious Hong Kong Institutions

 The faculty member of nec CPS, program coordinator of MSc Natural Resources Management, Dr Narayan Prasad was recently honored with an invitation as a visiting scientist and collaborative research partner by the China Exploration and Research Society (CERS) for a two-week program from October 16-30, 2024. During this period, he delivered four compelling guest lectures at leading academic institutions in Hong Kong, China.

At the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), two lectures were presented at the Department of Geography: "Trapping Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia): Community Participation in Monitoring and Conservation in Lapchi Valley" and "CERS collaboration in research in Nepal biodiversity and social issue." The Department of Life Sciences at CUHK hosted another lecture on "Ecological Interactions: Predator Coexistence and Competitive Dynamics in the Central Himalayas, Nepal." The same ecological interactions lecture was also presented at The Hong Kong University's Department of Biological Sciences, followed by a presentation at the China Exploration and Research Society.

The lectures were attended by distinguished scholars including Dr. Wang Howman, Prof Trevor Sofield, visiting and Emeritus Professor of the University of Tasmania, Prof. Dr. Lawal Mohammed Marafa, Prof. Dr. Martin Tsui, Prof. Dr. Benoit Guénard, and CERS Director Ms. Miriam Lee. These experts shared valuable insights on Nepal's biodiversity and its connection to local livelihoods. This international academic exchange highlights our institution's growing global presence and commitment to wildlife conservation and community-based research in the Himalayan region.

 A one-day workshop on Himalayan Freshwater was held at the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (#ICIMOD) on May 21, 2024. This workshop was part of a series of annual workshops, the first workshop was held in India in 2023, and the third workshop is planned to be held in Bhutan in 2025. The workshop was part of APN-funded REFRESH project. The workshop attracted 60 participants from 27 organizations across four nations, including national and international agencies and institutions in South Asia

The central theme of the workshop was assessing the services and vulnerability of freshwater ecosystems in the Himalayas. The workshop was organized by Nepal Engineering College (nec) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (#IITRoorke).

Prof. Dr Vishnu Prasad Pandey , IoE, TU delivered the keynote presentation focusing on the potential impact of climate change on the increased stress on freshwater resulting from decreased availability, increased uncertainties and their impact on the design flood.

The workshop was held under the project Regional Cooperation for Freshwater Ecosystem Services in the Himalayas (REFRESH): Understanding the Influences of Monsoon Variability and Compound Extremes.

The technical session was chaired by Dr. Vishal Singh Gaur from the National Institute of Hydrology Roorkee. Dr. Ashutosh Sharma, the Principal Investigator of the project, briefed on the project activities and four doctoral students, two from IIT Roorkee and one each from IIT Mandi and #IITIndore, updated the progress on the research works carried out under this project.

Dr. Santosh Kaini (Joint Secretary, Department of Irrigation and Water Resources, Government of Nepal), Dr. Neera Shrestha Pradhan (Action area Coordinator, Managing Cryosphere and Water Risk, SG1m ICIMOD), and Dr. Narayan Prasad Koju (Ecologist, Assistant Professor, Nepal Engineering College) presented on their areas of expertise in the panel discussion session chaired by Prof. Sumit Sen from IIT Roorkee.

https://ekantipur.com/news/2024/05/22/discussion-on-clean-water-in-the-himalayan-region-29-14.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawEljYdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHbp2X-afj5dujHsA-e4no19plrxKKnJBsOlckif8SDf3fm9N7eJVxsi5RQ_aem_q-QVtO0vhVDS8T8dHsut6A