Papers

1. Understanding precipitation patterns and land use interaction in Tibet using harmonic analysis of SPOT VGT-S10 NDVI Time Series.

   Abstract:
   Time series analysis of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) imagery is a powerful tool in studying land use and precipitation interaction in data?scarce and inaccessible areas.

2. An eco-regional approach to agricultural land use planning in Himachal Pradesh, India using Geographic Information Systems

   Abstract:
   Eco-regional research in the Hindu-Kush-Himalayan region has an enormous potential because of its diversity in agro-ecological zones, farming systems and social and political settings (ICIMOD, 2003; ISNAR 2004).

3. GIS Oriented Thematic Portals - A Means for Partnership in Sustainable Development in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas.

   Abstract:
   Bajracharya, Birendra; Pandey, Sushil.

4. Monitoring Vegetation Changes with NDVI Trends and Climatic Correlation.

   Abstract:
   Pradhan, Sushil (Paper presented at GIS Society Seminar, Kathmandu, Nepal)

5. The Direct Observations of Large Aerosol Radiative Forcing in the Himalayan Region, Geophysical Research Letters,

   Abstract:
   Pradhan, Bidya Banmali.; Shrestha, Basanta

6. Geographic Information Systems and Remote- sensing Technologies for Mountain Development

   Abstract:
   (Issues in Mountain Development 43/1997, ICIMOD)

7. Application of GIS and Remote Sensing for Monitoring Urban Land Cover Changes

   Abstract:
   A Case Study of the Kathmandu Valley (Presented on Third Indian Annual ESRI/ERDAS ?98 User Conference?, 17-18 November 1998, New Delhi, India)

8. Regional Geographic Information Infrastructure in the Hindu Kush ? Himalayan Region ICIMOD?s Perspective

   Abstract:
   

9. Application of GIS to Mountain Land-use Planning

   Abstract:
   (Issues in Mountain Development 3/1999, ICIMOD)

10. Integration of GIS, Remote Sensing and Ecological Methods for Biodiversity Inventory and Assessment

    Abstract:
    (Issues in Mountain Development 4/1999, ICIMOD)

11. Integration of GIS and Remote Sensing for Crop Acreage Estimation: An Information System Development Approach

    Abstract:
    (International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinfornation Volume 3 Issue 1-2001; Issues in Mountain Development 6/1999, ICIMOD)

12. Development of Geo-Information Infrastructure, issues in the Hindu Kush Himalayas

    Abstract:
    (Issues in Mountain Development 2/2000, ICIMOD)

13. ICIMOD's Approach Towards a Regional Geo-Information Infrastructure (RGII) in the Hindu-Kush Himlayan (HKH) Region

    Abstract:
    (Workshop on National Geospatial Data Infrastructure: Towards a Road Map for India, 5-6 February 2001, New Delhi, India)

14. GIS in Sustainable Development in the HKH Mountains

    Abstract:
    (GIS at Development, October 2001)

15. A Metadata system for Geographic Information in the HKH

    Abstract:
    (Regional Seminar on Geo-Informatics for Asian Eco-systems, 3-4 Dec. 2001, Kathmandu, Nepal)

16. GIS for Municipal Planning ? A Case Study from Kirtipur Municipaltiy, Nepal

    Abstract:
    (Map India 2002, New Delhi, India)

17. Geo-Information Technology and Environmental Management in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan

    Abstract:
    (Prepared for the ?2nd Conference on Environmental Education and Research for Sustainable Development?, organized by Yangon University, Yangon, Myanmar, 24-28 June, 2002.)

18. ICIMOD Metadata/ Data Server System using ArcIMS

    Abstract:
    (Prepared for the ?22 Annual ESRI International User Conference, San Diego, CA, USA?, organized by ESRI, 8-12 July, 2002.)

19. GIS Education-experiences from the Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) Region

    Abstract:
    (Prepared for the ?23 Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Kathmandu, Nepal?, organized by Survey Department HMG / Nepal, Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS), 25-29 November, 2002.)

20. Sharing Geographic Information on the Internet - ICIMOD'S Metadata/Data ServerSystem Using ARCIMS

    Abstract:
    (Prepared for the ?23 Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Kathmandu, Nepal?, organized by Survey Department HMG / Nepal, Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS), 25-29 November, 2002.)

21. Mountain GIS Portal - A Step Towards Regional Spatial Data Infrastructure in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) Region

    Abstract:
    (Prepared for the ?23 Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Kathmandu, Nepal?, organized by Survey Department HMG / Nepal, Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS), 25-29 November, 2002.)

22. Regional Spatial Data Infrastructure (RSDI) for Sustainable Mountain Development in the Hindu Kush-Himalyan (HKH) Region

    Abstract:
    (Prepared for the ?GSDI 7th International Conference, Banglore, India?, organized by GSDI Community and ISRO, 3 February, 2004.)

23. Monitoring Vegetation Changes with NDVI Trends for Effective Response to Food Security

    Abstract:
    Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) maps allow comparisons of the spatial and temporal variability in the amount and condition of vegetation. The time series satellite derived NDVI was used to monitor and analyze changes in vegetation pattern of Nepal. The NDVI maps of Nepal for the period 1998 ? 2003 (6 years) was computed using 10-day?s time series SPOT Vegetation satellite image. The trend showed that the months September and October are normally best growing period and April, May, and June are normally driest period. The NDVI comparison was done among the best growing season for 6 years? period and it was found that significant differences in vegetation growth production was observed. The maximum, mean, and minimum of the 1998 ? 2003 Annual Maximum NDVI was derived to evaluate and represent the vegetation condition through out the country. The variability in annual maximum greenness from six years of NDVI data (1998 ? 2003) was computed to determine the area of potentially higher and lower inter-annual variability in agricultural production, and was found to be very useful to estimate the frequency of meteorological and agricultural drought events. The agricultural vegetation anomalies for each year (1998 ? 2003) were computed to determine the agricultural production anomalies in the southern districts of Nepal, the major agricultural production domain area. The result provided insight into the spatial and temporal agricultural production anomalies events, and was the basis for the detailed analysis to determine the agricultiural drought events for effective response to food insecurity. The relationship between low agricultural production zone and precipitation variable was analysed to determine the dynamics of agricultural production anomalies.

24. Landslide Mapping in Sagarmatha National Park using Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System

    Abstract:
    Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) is located between latitude 27? 40? N and 28? 07?N, and longitude 86? 30? E and 87? 0? E to the northeast of Kathmandu, in the Khumbu region of Nepal. It lies in the higher Himalayan rock and Tethys sediments. Because of a large number of landslides and their relative inaccessibility in mountainous terrain, satellite images and aerial photos were used to map them in combination with geographic information system. The high-resolution 4 m (MSS) and 1 m (Pan) IKONOS imagery of 2001 November and the aerial photos of 1992 were used. The IKONOS high resolution multispectral data were used to prepare a color composite and false color composite image to locate shallow landslides and vegetation cover that was crosschecked with 1992 aerial photos. The most straightforward approach to landslide hazard zonation is the preparation of landslide inventory and landslide distribution maps, based on satellite image, aerial photos, and database of historical occurrences of landslides in an area. The final product gives the spatial distribution of mass movements represented as polygons with attribute data. In SNP, rockfall is found in many places because of the high relief and very steep slope. Rockfall is predominant in the higher region in the permafrost area due to the freezing and thawing of snow and also it is predominant on northeast-facing slopes. The area is very fragile due to highly fractured and jointed nature of rocks in the area of faults and folds running parallel to the valley. Rockfall covered 27.53 % of the total landslide area. The largest rockfall occupies 897331.45 m2 and the smallest one covers 513.18 m2. Slides make up 72.46% of the total landslide area. The largest slide covers an area of 962863.27 m2 and the smallest one occupies 396.72 m2, which includes 1.24% of the total area. Though, many historical debris flows were reported from SNP, at present there is no visible evidence of them. In SNP, gully erosion is predominant in the higher region due to the high velocity of runoff and glacier erosion. Gullies cover 0.983% of the total area. The largest gully occupies an area of 585130.06 m2 and the smallest one covers 3589.14 m2.

25. Urban Flooding in Kathmandu Valley and flood education of people living at the flood plains

    Abstract:
    Kathmandu Valley, the capital of Nepal, is situated at 4,423 ft. above the sea level. Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan are the major towns in the valley. The Bagmati River is the principal river of the Kathmandu valley. Bagmati, fed by springs and monsoon rainfall, originates in the north of Kathmandu Valley (Shivapuri Hill) and a number of tributaries join the river as it flows down stream and passes through the valley at Chovar. Urban flooding in Nepal is much lightens up as the capital city Kathmandu valley got flooded badly with large death/missing of 27 people in 23 July, 2002. The satellite rainfall estimates (RFE) from NOAA and point rainfall shows high rainfall patches on 23rd July over Kathmandu Valley. Due to this rainfall, huge flood was also observed near oriental colony in Balkhu river. HEC-HMS model estimated 170 m3/s of flood in Balkhu river near the Oriental colony. In the same time, the maximum flow of Bagmati river at Khokana was 800 m3/s (DHM). Flood education survey result shows that the people living 40m away from the river side are aware of the flood, but the resident of the colony i.e. within 40m shows lack of flood education even they are more educated.

26. Landslide Mapping of the Everest Region using High Resolution Satellite Images and 3D Visualization

    Abstract:
    The Mt. Everest region was declared as ?Sagarmatha National Park? in 1976 with a mission to conserve and maintain the biological and cultural values, and scenic beauty of its landscape for the benefit of the present and future generations primarily as sources of inspiration, recreation, education and prestige; and to support livelihoods of the local people in a manner that will not harm its integrity. It has also been inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979 for its aesthetic and scientific values. The extreme relief and younger geology with high seismic activities make the Himalaya an extremely hazardous region. Earthquakes, landslides, rock falls, avalanches and flash floods are the common types of natural hazards in these mountains. Due to limited lands suitable for inhabitation and farming in the mountains, the land resources are heavily exploited and people are forced to live in danger zones. Pressures due to increased population and tourism activities have made the people to settle in the areas which have high risks of these natural hazards. The new management plan for the national park recommends a management zoning system for conservation, and promotion and management of tourism. In this context, knowledge about the hazardous areas is important for a rational planning.

27. Estimation of 2002 Extreme Flood over Balkhu River Using NOAA Based Satellite Rainfall and HEC-HMS Hydrological Model, and Assessment of Flood Education of People Living Near the Flood Risk Zone of Balkhu River

    Abstract:
    Kathmandu Valley, the capital of Nepal, is situated at 4,423 ft. above the sea level. Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan are the major towns in the valley. The Bagmati River is the principal river of the Kathmandu valley. Bagmati, fed by springs and monsoon rainfall, originates in the north of Kathmandu Valley (Shivapuri Hill) and a number of tributaries join the river as it flows down stream and passes through the valley at Chovar. Urban flooding in Nepal is much lightens up as the capital city Kathmandu valley got flooded badly with large death/missing of 27 people in 23 July, 2002. The satellite rainfall estimates (RFE) from NOAA and point rainfall shows high rainfall patches on 23rd July over Kathmandu Valley. Due to this rainfall, huge flood was also observed near oriental colony in Balkhu River. HEC-HMS model estimated 170 m3/s of flood in Balkhu River near the Oriental colony. In the same time, the maximum flow of Bagmati river at Khokana was 800 m3/s (DHM). Flood education survey result shows that the people living 40m away from the river side are aware of the flood, but the resident of the colony i.e. within 40m shows lack of flood education even they are more educated.

28. The impact of global warming on the glaciers of the Himalaya

    Abstract:
    Since industrialization and human activities is advancing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is steadily increasing. As a result of green house gas effect the world?s average surface temperature has increased between 0.3 and 0.6oC over the past hundred years. There is expectation of global average temperature increase by 1.4 to 5.8?C in 2100 with the increase of carbondioxide. The increase in average temperature will have the direct impact on glaciers and glacial lakes in Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region. The glaciers of the HKH region are retreating and as a result the glacial lakes associated with the glaciers are increasing in number and size to the level of potential glacial lake outburst flood. Many GLOFs are recorded in region at least one in 3 to 10 years since 1970s. The GLOF events have trans-boundary effect resulting loss of many lives and property along the downstream. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) with its partner institutes mapped about 15,000 glaciers, 9000 lakes and 200 potentially dangerous glacial lakes including 21 GLOF events in the Himalayan region except Arunanchal and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) region. The database of glaciers, glacial lakes, and glacial lake outburst flood in HKH region serves as the baseline data and information for climate change study, planning for water resource development, to understand and mitigate GLOF associated hazards, thus linking science to policy. However with the view of catastrophic events of GLOF in the past monitoring, mitigation and awareness of potential GLOF in the region is necessary to reduce the GLOF hazard